What's behind the behavior?

Why wasps gnaw wood

Wasps have very strong mouthparts. That much is clear. Anyone who has ever seen a wasp close-up will be able to confirm this. Above all, the mandibles, the upper jaw, can be seen very clearly. It is easy to imagine that they can use it to shred prey and hard materials without any problems.

But is wood one of the favorite foods of wasps? The answer, of course, is no, because it is not nutritious. For their own energy needs and that of their larvae, wasps only need sweet and protein-rich food in the form of food of flower nectar, plant juices, honeydew, insects - and also cakes, ice cream and grilled meat from our garden tables.

So one thing is certain:

• Wasps feed exclusively on food that is sweet and rich in protein
• Wood is not on the menu

Wood as a building material

The animals also ingest wood orally, but they only collect it as building material for their nests. Mixed with their saliva, they chew it into a mass that they shape into the breeding chambers and which becomes very hard when dry.

Depending on the type of wasp, different wood textures are preferred: Common wasps stick to rotten wood, which causes their nests to take on a beige color. German wasps, on the other hand, gnaw away the half-weathered surfaces of wooden stakes and furniture, making their nests appear grayish.

Does furniture damage?

Now you might be wondering whether your wooden furniture on the terrace needs special protection against wasps. Since they only use partially weathered wood to build their nests anyway, signs of wear and tear are more likely to show up on older furniture. In order to avoid unsightly eating grooves, preventive measures must be taken at an early stage - for example by providing tables and chairs with a protective wood varnish. This prevents the surface from weathering and also seals the fibers on top to form a harder layer.

What can also help in the short term is to rub the furniture with essential oils. The smell scares the wasps off.