Buzzing all over the cakes in the bakery. Arriving through your open window. Hovering over your brunch: there is absolutely no escaping wasps at this time of year.
But recent media reports suggesting people face high fines for killing wasps have led people in Austria to ask what the rules actually are.
Some of the confusion over what rules apply appears to stem from the law in neighbouring Germany.
Wasps in Germany are protected by the country's Federal Nature Conservation Act. The law states that wasps are protected from "capture, injury or death without reasonable cause". Those who kill wasps or destroy a wasp nest can face fines of around €5,000 to €50,000.
However, the fines are rarely enforced and instead aim to act as deterrent measures.
Is it illegal to kill wasps in Austria?
In Austria, there is no general nationwide ban on killing wasps. However, animal welfare laws state that killing an animal (and that includes wasps, bees and hornets) without a valid reason can result in a fine of up to €7,500. Repeat offenders could see fines of up to €15,000.
Rules on how to manage wasps and similar species specifically hinge on the nature conservation regulations in the respective Austrian state, and the specific circumstances of each individual case.
"The reports currently circulating give the impression that even killing a single wasp or removing wasp nests is automatically punishable by heavy fines," Peter Fiedler, spokesperson for the Pest Control Professionals’ Association in Austria, told the Wirtschaftskammer Wien.
"This does not reflect the legal situation in Austria."
At the same time, Fiedler called for a responsible approach to dealing with the insects.
"Wasps fulfil important ecological roles," he said. "Furthermore, some species pose no threat whatsoever to humans."
He said if there is a danger to people, the situation should be assessed by a specialist company.
"Attempts to control them on one’s own initiative are often dangerous and exacerbate the problem," he said.
So what do state laws say?
It's a real patchwork of different rules from state to state.
Austria's Environment Agency says that some species are specifically protected under state regulations. But even animals that are not specifically protected can be covered by general rules protecting wild animals.
In Vienna, for example, the Nature Conservation Act says that non-protected wild animals may not be deliberately disturbed, pursued, injured or killed. Breaches of this law in the capital can carry fines of up to €21,000, or up to €35,000 for repeat offences.
The rules on specific wasp species also vary. In Styria, native true wasps are specifically protected, although there is an exception for buildings and domestic gardens.
Hornets are specifically protected in Carinthia, Salzburg, Styria and Vorarlberg, with some exceptions.
In other states, common wasp species are not specifically listed as protected. But that doesn't mean that they can be killed.
In general, the amount of a potential fine for killing wasps or similar species without good reason depends on several factors including state laws, the species and the specific action taken.
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What about wasps nests?
This is another area where the rules are complicated.
Several of the state laws specifically protect nests and breeding sites, meaning that removing a nest can raise different questions from dealing with an individual wasp.
Experts therefore recommend seeking professional advice if you come across a wasp nest near you.
Whether it can be removed, destroyed or relocated depends on various factors, including the location of the nest, the species and the potential danger to people.
How to stay safe around wasps
Wasps can be a real pain when they're buzzing around you, and getting stung is horrible. Rather than automatically trying to kill a wasp or chase it away, it's best to keep calm and avoid swatting it directly.
Good hygiene measures like keeping foods sealed, especially sugary treats, and emptying bins regularly help to deter wasps.
Keeping food and drinks covered when you're outside also helps. Or try to avoid eating outside in restaurants and cafes in August and September – prime wasp season in Austria and neighbouring countries.
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