Asian Hornets in France - your questions answered

Asian hornets are an invasive species in France and, more than 20 years after they were first spotted in the country, are now established across France.

The species is a particular concern for beekeepers as, unlike the native European hornet, it is more likely to prey on honey bees. They can also become a nuisance and potential danger to people when nests are disturbed. 

Late summer is an important period in the Asian hornet's life cycle. Colonies are large and highly active, while new queens are produced ahead of the winter.

Here are answers to some of your questions:

Where are Asian hornets found in France?

Asian hornets are now found in every department of mainland France.

They were first detected in France in Lot-et-Garonne in 2004 and have since spread. The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle says they are now present throughout France.

However, they are not found in equal numbers everywhere. Their population is generally higher in the south-west and along the Atlantic coast.

You can check real-time sightings reported in your department here. However, keep in mind that reports are submitted voluntarily by individuals, so the actual number of Asian hornets present could be much higher.

The government launched a national plan in 2026 to improve surveillance and coordinate efforts to limit the impact of the species.

Is there anything in particular to look out for over the next few months?

August and September are particularly important months in the hornet's annual cycle.

Colonies are now large and highly active. They will continue producing reproductive individuals, including future queens, before the colony's cycle comes to an end.

This is why finding and professionally treating nests before new queens leave is considered important.

For homeowners, the main thing to watch for over the coming weeks is increased hornet activity around established nests.

If you see repeated activity at one location, do not investigate closely or disturb the area. Keep children and pets away and report the suspected nest to your local mairie so they can direct you towards a pet control specialist. 

How dangerous is an Asian hornet sting?

For most people, a single sting is painful but does not cause a serious reaction.

The bigger concern is multiple stings or an allergic reaction.

Anses' review of hornet, wasp and bee stings between 2014 and 2023 found that 1.5% of recorded envenomations were classified as serious. Hornets were responsible for 38% of the serious cases, despite accounting for 25% of the recorded stings.

A hornet can also sting more than once because, unlike a honey bee, it does not leave its stinger behind.

Jérémy Riand, a hornet-control professional at Stop Frelons 85, said that the danger for a person who is not allergic comes mainly from receiving many stings when disturbing or trying to destroy a nest.

What should I do if I am stung?

For a normal local reaction, the sting can be painful and swollen but will usually settle.

However, medical attention is needed if there is difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, dizziness, fainting, or other signs of an allergic reaction.

Are Asian hornets more aggressive at the end of summer?

Not necessarily. The main difference is that there are many more hornets in a nest by this point in the year.

“Whether it is the middle or the end of the summer, their behaviour remains the same. It is simply that there are more of them in the nests,” Mr Riand said.

This means that disturbing a nest in August or September can be much more dangerous because hundreds of hornets may respond.

“When the nest is large enough, if you try to destroy it, you can have 200, 300 or 400 hornets coming at your face, your legs and your arms,” he said.

Are Asian hornets a risk to dogs and cats?

Dogs and cats can be stung, especially if they come across a nest or try to catch a hornet.

This is why it’s important to keep pets away from a suspected nest as Asian hornet nests are not always high in trees. They can also be found in hedges, garden shelters and other areas where animals can be near.

A single sting will not necessarily cause a serious reaction, but multiple stings can be more dangerous. A sting in or around the mouth or throat is also a concern because swelling can interfere with breathing.

If you think your dog or cat has been stung, particularly several times or around the mouth, contact your vet promptly.

Where do Asian hornets usually hide their nests?

Asian hornets can build nests in a wide range of places, so they are not always easy to spot.

They often choose sheltered locations such as trees, hedges, roof spaces, sheds and other quiet areas around homes and gardens.

In spring, nests can be very small and may be hidden under roof overhangs, along fascia boards or inside sheds.

By late summer, secondary nests are much larger and are often found high in trees.

One warning sign that there is a nest nearby is repeated hornet activity at exactly the same point.

“You see insects coming out and going back in at a fixed point. That is when you realise there is a nest, whether it is under roof tiles, underground or in a particular location,” Mr Riand said.

If you notice hornets repeatedly entering and leaving one area, keep your distance.

Where can I get an Asian hornet trap?

Some mairies distribute traps, particularly during spring campaigns.

The best first step is therefore to contact your local mairie and ask whether it provides traps or offers financial help towards buying an approved one.

Local beekeeping associations can also be a useful source of advice. Some help residents with trapping campaigns or can explain which traps are recommended in their area.

If your commune does not provide traps, approved traps can also be bought commercially.

However, not every trap is equally suitable. Homemade bottle traps and other non-selective traps can catch bees, butterflies and other insects as well as Asian hornets.

For this reason, residents should check for guidance before installing a trap.

Should I put a trap in my garden now?

Late summer is when colonies are particularly active, but experts advise against widespread trapping around homes and gardens because of the risk to other insects.

Targeted trapping is mainly recommended in specific situations, such as around beehives that are being attacked by Asian hornets.

Mr Riand said traps are more useful earlier in the year, when queens are emerging and establishing colonies.

“You have to do it in February, March and April to be able to trap the queens. If you trap a queen, that means one less nest,” he said.

By late summer, queens mostly remain inside the nest.

“At this time of year, you are going to trap workers because the queens are no longer coming out of the nest.”

Catching a few workers therefore has little effect on a large established colony.

“You might trap three workers, but in the nest, which shouldn't be far away, 15 more may be born. It is no longer really useful to trap them.”

The priority in August and September should be to look out for nests, avoid disturbing them and report them for professional removal.

What if I have an Asian hornet inside my house?

An isolated hornet is usually trying to escape rather than attack you. Avoid sudden movements and give it a clear route outside if you can do so without getting close to it.

The important thing is to avoid crushing or provoking it, particularly if you start seeing several hornets indoors, as this could indicate that there is a nest nearby.

What should I do if I think there is a nest nearby?

Keep your distance and avoid disturbing the area.

This is very important when gardening. Mowing the lawn, cutting a hedge or pruning a tree could disturb a nest that you have not spotted.

Mr Riand advises people to be careful when cutting hedges at this point of the year.

“When you have to cut hedges, you should give the hedge a big sweep with a rake while keeping your distance, to see whether anything comes out,” he said.

“If there is a nest, obviously you don't cut the hedge. You call a professional and then you cut the hedge afterwards,” he added.

Can I remove a nest myself?

No, once worker hornets are present, Mr Riand strongly advises against it.

“If you are not properly equipped, it is very, very dangerous. It often ends very, very badly,” he said.

He recalled one case where a man tried to remove a nest himself while wearing a motorcycle helmet, scarf, gloves and a leather jacket. One hornet got into his helmet, he panicked, took it off, was stung multiple times and had to go to the emergency department.

Mr Riand said homemade protective equipment should not be considered sufficient protection against an established nest.

Is there anything I can do if the nest is very small?

Very early in the season, when a nest is still tiny and contains only the queen, it may technically be possible to treat it yourself.

“At the very beginning of the season, when the nests are the size of an orange, when they are small and there is only one queen inside, it is possible, strictly speaking, to treat them at night with a specific hornet insecticide,” Mr Riand said.

However, he stressed that this is not recommended once worker hornets have appeared.

“As soon as there are workers, you can no longer control the situation,” he said.

What should I do if I find a nest?

First of all, y keep away from it and make sure children and pets cannot approach. Do not hit it, shake it, throw objects at it, spray it with water or try to knock it down.

You should also avoid using lawnmowers, hedge trimmers or other machinery nearby, as noise and vibration can provoke the colony.

If possible, take a photograph from a safe distance using your phone's zoom, then contact your mairie or a professional who deals with Asian hornet nests.

How much does professional removal cost?

Mr Riand said a typical intervention costs around €90 to €200, although this depends on the size and location of the nest.

A nest at ground level will generally be easier to deal with than one high in a tree.

Some communes also pay all or part of the cost, so it is worth checking with your mairie before arranging treatment.

Finally, you can also check your home insurance, as some of them now cover the cost of removing Asian hornet nests. For example, Crédit Mutuel said that some of its home-insurance policies now cover up to €150 per year for their removal.