German summer: How to deal with wasps, fruit flies and mosquitos

Whether you're trying to enjoy a drink, prepare a sandwich or simply sit outside, you're no doubt being hounded by an array of insects at the moment. 

That's right, summer in Germany is critter time. But don't fear, we've compiled some tips so you can manage the insects in the right way. 

Wasp central

These stripey pests are in bakeries among all the pastries, or buzzing around unsuspecting diners as they try to eat al fresco.

August and September is prime time for wasps in Germany. It can feel especially frustrating in the warm weather when you're trying to eat watermelon in peace or you simply want to be left alone with your iced vanilla latte. 

So just how do you deal with them?

The first thing to be aware of is that you're not allowed to kill wasps in Germany. So don't grab that newspaper and start swatting them (and by the way, that could also result in you getting stung). 

As wasps are protected under the Federal Nature Conservation Act in Germany, it is illegal to deliberately expose them to stress or to catch, injure or kill them without good reason.

Anyone who is not allergic to wasps and kills them can face a fine of between €5,000 and €65,000, depending on the state. This also includes removing or destroying their breeding and resting places, i.e. wasp nests.

READ ALSO: Can you really be fined for killing wasps in Germany?

Experts say it's important to know how to manage wasps so you have less chance of getting a nasty sting. 

"Waving your arms around wildly and blowing on them puts wasps on alert and causes them to attack us," says animal rights' group PETA.

Wasps are everywhere in Germany. Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay

PETA says this is because the carbon dioxide from our breath acts as a danger signal to wasps.

"They can also smell fear sweat and react to it," says PETA. "So it makes most sense to stay calm and simply ignore the wasp."

Experts say you can also catch a wasp in your home with a glass and a piece of paper underneath and take them outside safely.

Sweet smells and protein-rich foods such as meat attracts wasps – so you should always cover them up when preparing in the kitchen.

You can also use this to your advantage. For example, if wasps are annoying you, you can lure them away by leaving a small bit of food at a different table and let them focus on that instead of your dinner.

Meanwhile, open garlic cloves on a table or window will can help keep wasps away.

Wasps don't like intense scents. So try using essential oils such as eucalyptus, mint, lavender, thyme, tea tree and lemongrass to keep them away. 

Herbs like basil and rosemary can deter wasps from your balcony. These can also repel mosquitos!

Fruit flies galore

This is one of the more bothersome parts of the German summer. Although harmless, fruit flies are annoying and they can quickly get out of control. 

The key thing here is to make an extra effort with your daily cleaning. The flies love hopping on food left on plates or finding morsels in the garbage. Experts say they reproduce quickly in warm conditions.

According to the Federal Environment Agency, eating fruit or vegetables where the insects have laid their eggs is harmless to health, but it's kind of disgusting. Meanwhile, fruit flies can cause food to spoil more quickly, because the insects can transmit bacteria and yeasts.

For these reasons, tidy up quickly after preparing meals and snacks, don't leave food out on the counter for a long time and clean all surfaces regularly.

However, even that isn't enough to stop them. A fruit fly can lay up to 400 eggs, and their life expectancy is 40 to 50 days. 

Some people opt for traps to kill some of the flies.

One way to make a simple trap is to mix apple cider vinegar and a splash of dish soap in an empty jar. Cover the jar with cellophane and poke a few small holes on top with a knife. Place the jar on a windowsill or near where you're getting a lot of them. The flies are attracted to the mixture and often get caught in it. 

However, there is a school of thought that argues this kind of trap actually attracts more flies because they can smell it from far away. 

You can also find traps at drugstores like DM or Rossmann. 

Fruit flies do not reproduce at temperatures below 10C or above 32C – so they may slow down a bit when high temperatures peak. 

READ ALSO: 'Heat stress' - How hot will Germany get this week?

Pesky mosquitos 

Waking up with itchy sores on your body is a sure sign that you've been caught by a bloodthirsty mosquito (or ten).

Unfortunately these are another non-negotiable in the summer months in Germany, especially around lakes and rivers where they lay eggs. 

Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid weather. They are attracted to humans, particularly body heat and and CO2 from exhaled air, and some related smells. 

This makes it difficult to protect yourself from them. Before an evening outdoors or going to bed, it can help to shower with fragrance-free products to get rid of any sweat odours.

Mosquito repellents from the drugstore can also help when out and about (although many contain harsh chemicals). 

Essential oils from citrus fruits, lavender, eucalyptus or cedarwood, which are applied directly to the skin, can shield you for a short time but can also irritate sensitive skin.

Experts say wearing long sleeves and trousers make it more difficult, but not impossible, for mosquitos to get access to your blood.

You can limit the number of mosquitoes in your home by installing screens on your windows, or keeping them closed when mosquitoes are most active, generally around dusk and dawn.

Other insects to watch out for...

Another culprit that often hits households in Germany in the summer is moths. Pantry moths will burrow into your grains to lay their eggs, spoiling your food. 

If you find traces of moths or moth eggs in your kitchen, such as webbing or silken threads in food packages, or larvae, you need to act quickly. Clear out anything that moths have affected and do a deep clean.

If you really want to eradicate moths from your kitchen, you may need to throw most grain-based foods, like pasta and rice, in the garbage. (And take it out quickly before any eggs hatch.)

Store food in airtight containers to avoid future infestations.