Large wasp nest found behind curtain in Austrian holiday home

Firefighters in Mariazell, Austria, encountered a rare situation when called to a holiday home to deal with a large wasp nest discovered in an unusual location: between a bedroom window and its curtain.

The homeowner had been absent for an extended period, leaving a window slightly open. This provided an entry point for wasps, which then proceeded to construct a substantial nest within the living space. While the Mariazell Voluntary Fire Brigade frequently handles insect-related calls, a nest of this size in such a peculiar spot is uncommon, even for experienced personnel.

During their inspection, the firefighters located an additional six smaller nests within the apartment. Fortunately, these smaller nests were already empty. The operation to remove the large nest was successfully concluded.

As a preventative measure, the homeowner was advised on the importance of ensuring windows and doors are securely closed, especially during prolonged absences, to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of how wildlife can find unexpected ways to inhabit human spaces.