this post was submitted on 21 May 2024
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Okay, I think we are running into a language problem here. A wasp is what you muricans call a Yellowjacket, what do you mean when you say wasp? A hornet? Something completely different?
No matter: both wasps and hornets are protected. Why would you cede territory? I mean, they can be aggressive but they won't like murder you. Anyway, if you got a nest of those bitches on your property, you call either a specialist who will relocate them or the fire department. They will do the same.
"Wasp" is an entire family of insects; there are a bunch of them. Where I live, we do have both yellow jackets and hornets (and call them as such), but when somebody says "wasp" they're typically referring to a red paper wasp (this or this -- I was unaware there were two different kinds until just now, BTW).
They're different names for slightly different but similar animals like the Germans using Kaninchen Vs Hase for rabbit vs hare
Wasp, colloquially, is a general term for stinging insects including yellowjackets, bald face hornets, and paper wasps. I have all 3 around my home but primarily yellowjackets and admit I revert to the general term often. It could be a regional dialect habit, my apologies.
I do appreciate all of the information people are giving about how they are handled in Europe. For what it is worth, we do have someone in the home with an allergy bad enough to have an EpiPen always with them. We only clear their nests from the deck (outdoor platform attached to home where we eat/lounge outside during nice weather) or around the front door. I will look into finding a service that will remove them humanely in the future.
When we in swedeb talk about hated wasps it's usually
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet
Or
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespula_vulgaris
Which are usually hated with a burning passion by many people. I'm allergic to their sting (enough to make me a bit dizzy by only one sting and a trip to ER if I accidently mess with a nest) so I really don't want them around but they are so common it's hard to combat.
Edit: The European Hornet is less of an issue since they are mostly a danger when you are close to the hive, but the other one is a bother all summer