Wörth in excitement: wasp nest removed – roof structure catches fire!

Wörth in excitement: wasp nest removed – roof structure catches fire!

A dramatic incident occurred in Wörth on June 15, 2025, when a 57-year-old man tried to improperly remove a wasp nest. At around 8:25 p.m., the roof structure of his home caught fire, causing a large-scale fire. Firefighters from the surrounding communities of Hörlkofen, Altenerding, Markt Schwaben, Ottenhofen and Oberneuching had to come in to fight the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the house. Thanks to their courageous intervention, something worse was prevented, but the material damage caused is estimated at around 30,000 euros, as Merkur reported.

The fire brigade was not alone in the operation; The Bavarian Red Cross from Markt Schwaben and Erding was also on site with an ambulance and an emergency doctor to treat injured people if necessary. Luckily there were no injuries.

Beware of wasps

Wasps can not only be a nuisance, they also pose health and structural risks. This was evident in this case when attempts to remove the nest had disastrous consequences. The Wasp Fire Department explains that improper removal of such nests can often lead to dangerous situations. It is therefore advisable to consult a professional when dealing with wasps instead of doing it yourself. The Wespen fire brigade offers extensive advice, which provides information about safe alternatives to combat it.

Wasps particularly like to nest on roofs and often look for shelter in roof beams or niches that are difficult to access. In winter you look for protection under the roof, as that is where the heat is stored. If wasps nest under the roof, this can lead to an expansion of their habitat into other rooms, which can be associated with other problems such as the formation of mold due to a lack of ventilation, as an analysis by Biotec Klute shows.

Preventive measures

• Halten Sie Öffnungen klein, etwa bei Rollladenkästen.
• Schützen Sie Fenster mit Fliegengittern.
• Verwenden Sie umweltverträgliche Lacke oder Farben für Holz, um es gegen Wespen zu schützen.

In many ways, this incident shows how important it is to choose the right approach when dealing with nature. Although wasps cannot cause significant damage to the building structure by forming their nests, a large wasp nest can certainly cause problems in the long term. In addition, removing a wasp nest on your own is not recommended, as it can not only lead to personal injury, but also endanger your own four walls. Therefore, it is better to hire an expert before the situation gets out of control!