Wasp nests surge

Wednesday, 29 July 2026 23:56

Wasp nests are surging across the country and French-speaking areas the worst-hit region.

Insurer La Mobilière recorded around 5,800 nest reports last year, five times as many as in 2021.

Western areas showed 2.5 nests for every thousand households, more than twice the rate in German-speaking Switzerland.

Biologists at Bern's Dählhölzli zoo blame mild winters and dry springs, which give queens an easier start and let colonies establish quickly.

Summer heatwaves make things worse: unlike humans, wasps cannot sweat, so they burn more energy and grow more aggressive as they hunt for food.

Experts note the insects still play a vital role as pollinators and natural pest controllers, despite the bad press.

More from Bitesize News

More jihadist cases reach court

Switzerland's federal prosecutor is running 140 investigations into suspected jihadist terrorism — the highest figure ever recorded.
Geneva activates heat alerts - again

Geneva has reactivated its extreme heat plan as scorching temperatures return.
Be careful watching eclipse

With tomorrow’s partial solar eclipse, safety experts are urging observers to wear only certified eclipse glasses — and to leave the photography to professionals.
Many hikers need rescuing

Nearly 4,000 people needed help in the mountains last year — a record.
Plants bloom in lake

Lake Geneva is being taken over by an explosion of aquatic plants this summer.
'On the Water Festival' great success

Nearly 3,000 people took to Lake Geneva on Saturday for the second edition of the ‘On The Water Geneva Festival’ — dancing from their boats to music blasted out in 360 degrees from a floating barge.