Summer is in full swing, and that means many people are enjoying a drink on the terrace. Unfortunately, wasps, especially in July and August, also love these sunny spots and can cause significant nuisance in the hospitality industry.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these unwanted guests and maintain peace on the terrace. In this blog post, we share handy tips and tricks to prevent wasps on your terrace in an animal-friendly way and maintain a good atmosphere for your guests. Read on quickly for our best advice!
Why are there often wasps on hospitality terraces?
Wasps are often found on hospitality terraces due to food sources and the environment. Restaurant terraces often offer an abundance of food scraps and drinks, which is attractive to wasps. Wasps feed on proteins and sugars. So if there's meat on the table, wasps will gladly join in! Note: they don't come to attack people but just want to eat along.
Wasps can also easily nest nearby due to the proximity of trees and plants. The warm temperatures and the smell of food on terraces also attract wasps. Hospitality staff often do their best to keep wasps at bay through special repellents and devices. It's important to remember that wasps, although annoying and sometimes painful, play an important role in the natural environment and should be respected.
How can we deter wasps on the hospitality terrace?
The presence of wasps on the hospitality terrace can be very annoying for guests. To prevent this, various measures can be taken.
Firstly, it's important not to leave food scraps or waste on tables or the ground. This attracts wasps. So make sure there are enough trash bins and clean up the terrace regularly.
Additionally, it can help to scare off wasps with scent. For example, place a few sprigs of rosemary on the tables or light a citronella candle. Wasps don't like these scents and will therefore be less likely to come to the terrace.
Another option is hanging wasp traps. These traps consist of a sweet liquid that wasps are attracted to and then can't get out of. Don't buy these as this is not an animal-friendly solution.
Finally, it can help to use parasols or screens to shield the terrace. Wasps will be less likely to come to the terrace if they have difficult access or if there's less wind. By using parasols or screens, the environment can become less attractive to wasps.
What to do if there are still wasps on the terrace?
It can always happen that there are still wasps on the terrace, despite all precautions. It's important to deal with this in a professional manner. First of all, ensure good communication with the guests and inform them about the presence of wasps on the terrace and what is being done to prevent this. Also make sure that someone is always available to resolve any nuisance from wasps, such as removing a wasp nest. Especially mention that they should not swat wasps away as this makes wasps feel threatened.
What is the best way to control wasps on a hospitality business terrace?
Wasps on a hospitality business terrace can be annoying for both guests and staff. However, there are several ways to control these insects effectively and safely.
One option is to place a wasp trap. This is a device that attracts wasps and then captures and kills them. There are various types of wasp traps on the market, including electric and poison-free models. Don't buy these because we desperately need insects like wasps! A better option is to use natural wasp repellents, such as clove oil or citronella oil. These oils have a strong scent that repels wasps.
As a last resort, hiring a beekeeper may be necessary. They are trained to remove bees (and maybe wasps too) safely and effectively. If you prefer pest control? Then make sure they don't kill the wasps but chase them away!
Regardless of which method you choose, it's important to remove all food scraps and waste to avoid attracting wasps. It's also important to be careful when controlling wasps and to wear protective clothing to prevent stings.
Why an animal-friendly way to chase away or avoid wasps? What is the use of wasps?
Wasps are useful animals. We desperately need them to pollinate plants. They do this when they are looking for nectar. They also help clean up carcasses. In addition, wasps help us prevent an insect plague, they love to catch flies and mosquitoes!
In short: Wasps on the hospitality terrace can cause significant nuisance, but there are various ways to prevent this. Ensure a clean and tidy environment, shield the terrace with parasols or screens, use scents that repel wasps but don't hang wasp traps because this kills them and we desperately need wasps. If there are still wasps, ensure good communication with the guests. Reassure your guests because wasps don't attack just like that unless they feel threatened, they just want to eat meat and sugar.
With these measures, the terrace can remain wasp-free and guests can optimally enjoy their stay on the terrace.
