What attracts wasps? The most common causes
By Wespenprofis.ch · Reviewed by:Fachbewilligung Schädlingsbekämpfung VFB-S · Updated: 3 July 2026
At a glance
Wasps are drawn above all to sugary food, windfall fruit, open bins, scraps of meat and strongly scented cosmetics — more so in late summer, when colonies reach their maximum size. Reducing these sources lowers wasp activity far more effectively than any trap.
Why the cause matters more than the symptom
Anyone who swats individual wasps without removing what attracted them is fighting a symptom. There is usually a clear cause behind it that can be reduced in a targeted way. That is more effective and gentler than any trap or home remedy, because it stops wasps being drawn in at all.
Food as the main magnet
Top of the list is food rich in sugar and protein: open sweet drinks, cake, windfall fruit under trees, barbecued meat and leftover sausage. This becomes particularly noticeable in late summer, when colonies reach their maximum size and the workers start looking for high-energy food for themselves. Open bins and unprotected compost heaps act like a magnet all year round, as they offer a constant supply of food waste.
Smells that attract wasps as well
Alongside food, wasps react strongly to scents. Heavily perfumed cosmetics, sun cream or shower gel with a sweet, floral note can seem to a wasp like a potential food source, even though none is there. Open tins of paint or varnish in the garden or on the terrace occasionally draw wasps in too. If you eat outdoors in late summer, you are therefore better off with subtle rather than intense fragrances.
Nesting sites as a second cause
As well as food, location plays a part: sheltered cavities in roller shutter boxes, roof overhangs or garden sheds attract young queens in spring, which then found a nest there. Once a nest has been established nearby, that often explains a persistently high level of wasp activity that cannot be solved by covering food alone. How to spot and seal such nesting sites in good time in spring is described in the guide Wespennest vorbeugen.
Reduce the causes rather than just react
Cover food and drinks, clear windfall fruit promptly, close bins and avoid intense fragrances — this combination noticeably lowers wasp activity. Practical tips for the dining table can be found in the guide Wespen am Tisch, and general measures in the pillar guide Wespen vertreiben. If wasp numbers stay high despite all these measures, that points to a nest nearby, which should be assessed by a professional (/wespennest-entfernen). The overview at /arten shows which species you are dealing with.
Frequently asked questions
Why do perfume or strongly scented sun cream attract wasps?
Wasps rely heavily on their sense of smell. Sweet, floral scents resemble potential food sources to them and spark interest, even when no food is actually present.
Are wasps more interested in light or dark clothing?
Directly less relevant than scent, but large, eye-catching patterns and very light, floral colours can attract additional attention.
Is covering the table enough to keep wasps away?
It helps, but it is only part of the picture. Bins, compost, windfall fruit and open drinks in the wider surroundings should be reduced as well, otherwise the overall attraction stays high.