Wasp in the room — getting it out safely
By Wespenprofis.ch · Reviewed by:Fachbewilligung Schädlingsbekämpfung VFB-S · Updated: 3 July 2026
At a glance
Stay calm, open the window and the curtains, dim the lights and give the wasp time to find its own way out. A glass with a sheet of paper over it works well for catching the wasp and releasing it outdoors. Do not swat at it or wave your arms about — that only increases the risk of being stung.
First step: stay calm
A wasp in the living room or bedroom sends many people into an immediate panic – yet the situation is usually far more harmless than it seems. A single wasp in the room is generally just looking for the way back outside and has no interest in stinging you, as long as it does not feel cornered. Waving a towel about or swatting at the insect, on the other hand, clearly increases the risk of a sting, because the wasp reads this as an attack.
How the wasp finds its own way out
Open the window as wide as possible and, if you have them, close the curtains or roller shutters elsewhere in the room so that the window opening becomes the brightest point in the room. Also dim any artificial light, particularly in the evening, as wasps navigate strongly by light sources. Leave the immediate area around the window for a few minutes – left undisturbed, the wasp will usually find its own way out.
When catching it becomes necessary
If the wasp stubbornly stays in one place, on a lamp or in a ceiling corner for example, you can catch it with a glass and a piece of paper or thin card: place the glass calmly over the insect, slide the paper underneath and open the whole thing outdoors at some distance from the window. This approach is safer than any attempt to drive the wasp away with your hand or an object.
Preventing it next time
To stop new wasps finding their way into the room again and again, a fine-mesh insect screen on the window is a reliable solution. Open sweet drinks and bowls of fruit in the room attract wasps as well – more on this in the guide What attracts wasps. General measures against wasps in everyday life are summarised in the pillar guide Repelling wasps, while tips for balconies and terraces can be found in the guide Wasp protection for balconies. If you notice unusually large numbers of wasps at the same window or in the same corner of the room, there may be a nest nearby; do not go looking for it yourself, but read the guide Found a wasp nest – what to do first and call in a professional if needed (/wespennest-entfernen).
Frequently asked questions
Why does the wasp in my room keep flying against the window pane?
Wasps navigate by light and do not recognise glass as an obstacle. Open the window and dim the light in the room so that the opening becomes the brightest point.
Is it dangerous to catch a wasp in the room?
With a glass and a piece of paper or card, a wasp can usually be caught safely, as long as you work calmly and avoid sudden movements.
How do I stop new wasps from getting into the room all the time?
A fine-mesh insect screen on the window is the most reliable measure. It also helps to keep food containers closed and to clear away leftovers promptly, as these attract wasps.