Insects

Why Asian hornets are a bigger concern at the end of summer in France

Expert weighs in on what to do if you find a nest

How common are tick bites in France and how to protect yourself

Most bites are harmless, but knowing how to prevent these and remove ticks can help reduce the risk of infection

Mosquito control operations across France: how this may impact your commune

More than a thousand operations were carried out in southern France last year

practical

How can I prevent mosquitoes in my garden and home?

Tiger mosquitoes transmit several tropical diseases and are now present across all French regions

First native Dengue fever cases recorded in France in 2026

Two separate outbreaks in southern France

Summer insects: what really works to keep them away from your table in France

From candles to fans, an expert explains what works…and what is mostly a myth

Do not mistake this harmless wasp in your French garden for an Asian hornet

Its size and colouring are the main reasons the scolie des jardins is sometimes misidentified

Are cicadas in the south-east of France making more noise this summer?

‘We are in Provence and our cicadas are announcing summer’

Readers reveal what worked to stop ants invading their homes

Practical suggestions from readers after this summer's surge in household ant invasions

Heatwave sends ants into homes: why they are appearing and what to do

‘I can’t sleep in this room with all these ants flying around’

Electric ants and Asian hornets: France pushes for EU-wide eradication effort

Ecology minister demands greater EU coordination to tackle invasive species

Processionary caterpillar numbers on rise in northern France: what to do if you spot them

Several departments issued warnings over weekend, with certain areas closed to public

Why you may see 'bin' bags on trees across forests and towns in France

The purpose of the bags can be determined by their colour and location

A large hornets' nest attached under a wooden roof beam, with a blowtorch inset in the corner.

French resident sets house on fire trying to destroy hornet nest

The Haute-Vienne man went against official advice

Trees and plants that attract Asian hornets in French homes

Avoid these trees if you want to remain hornet-free

Asian hornets: French authorities launch resident trap campaigns

Many local mairies are offering traps and tips for free to combat the invasive insect

France faces growing threat from invasive ‘electric ant’ species as funding for projects stalls

Aggressive colonies are difficult to eradicate and researchers need approval to test new methods

New anti-mosquito operation in Dordogne: What residents must do

Close to 100 cases of chikungunya have been recorded in department

Nature in France: discover the fascinating world of insects

Explore the wonders of French nature with the extraordinary dung beetle, gazés and butterflies

Why you may now see a large black and blue bee in your French garden

No, it’s not a basic bumblebee in a snazzy new jacket…

Spring sees return of Asian hornets in France: Action to take now

The hornets are particularly damaging to bee populations

Errors to avoid and how to help wildlife as you get your garden in France ready for spring

Gardening with care can make a big difference at this time of year

Now is the time for many to install Asian hornet traps in France

Some councils are offering free or subsidised traps, with tips on how to capture the early queens

Millions of insects migrate over France from northern Europe to southern Spain

These insects travel from as far as Sweden or the UK on an instinctual, genetic basis

A view of someone holding a torch at bedbugs in a mattress

French study praises ‘miracle product’ against bedbugs

The study found that a commonly-used clay powder is effective against the insects

‘Native’ case of dengue fever in Hérault, first in France in 2024

Authorities are taking action to stop the virus from spreading locally including anti-mosquito spraying operations - PLUS, see a map of the current situation nationwide

What is France’s new national plan to fight against Asian hornets?

The hornets represent a triple threat: to the beekeeping industry, to the environment and to public health, said the French minister for biodiversity

A view of an oriental fruit fly landing on a ripe piece of fruit

‘Highly damaging’ fruit-eating fly at risk of spreading in France

Damage could range from 20-100% of harvests, experts have warned

A close-up view of a tiger mosquito on skin

Tiger mosquitoes now in Normandy, last region of France to escape them

The tiny insects were first detected in France in 2004

Processionary caterpillars on a tree trunk

Be aware of caterpillars when walking your dog in France

Certain caterpillars can cause necrosis of the tongue in dogs and are appearing earlier each year

Test your French with these nine expressions linked to insects

Gober les mouches, fier comme un pou, avoir le bourdon - learn how to use these everyday French phrases

Four pine processionary caterpillars moving in a line on the ground

Processionary caterpillars in French forest blamed for sick dogs

A woman who walked her pets in a tree-covered area had to rush them to the vet

A view of processionary caterpillars travelling in a typical line on the ground

Processionary caterpillars already spotted this year in France

The insects - which have highly-irritating, toxic hairs - typically only emerge in warmer months

Warning over insecticide used against bed bugs in France

The product is suspected to be the cause of the death of a man in Lyon

Ticks carrying Crimean-Congo fever found in France for first time

No human cases have yet been detected but health authorities warn that the virus could spread due to climate change. It is already in Spain

A close-up view of a tiger mosquito on someone's skin

1,347 cases of dengue fever registered in France since May 1

Most came from overseas but the number of native cases is rising sharply too, the French health authority has warned

Mosquitoes, hornets, stink bugs: life cycles change as France warms up

The invasive insects are now common in most of the country

A close-up view of a tiger mosquito on someone’s finger

First case of native dengue fever from tiger mosquito in Paris area

This is the first time that a native case has been confirmed so far north

TRY OUR TEST: identify different bugs you may find at a home in France

Can you put a name on these four common pests?

A close-up view of a tiger mosquito on human skin

Increase in tiger mosquitoes in France leads to more cases of dengue

Why are there more mosquitoes, and what are the common symptoms of dengue to look out for?

French court rules on tradesmen and faulty materials for renovations

Our property ‘round-up’ also looks at new tests to limit drought damage to homes and a big rise in bedbug infestations

A close-up view of a tiger mosquito, recognisable by its striped body

Anti-mosquito spraying stopped by ecologists in southwest France

Activists said that the insecticide could also kill bees and aquatic life, but insect experts say spraying is the only way to reduce the risk to human health

A close-up of a tiger mosquito biting a human, against a blurred background

More cases of mosquito-borne dengue and West Nile virus in France

Mosquito eradication operations are now being carried out in a bid to stop domestic transmissions of the diseases

A view of a Simulium black fly on a leaf

Black biting fly in Spain: Is it a problem in France?

The fly can cause severe reactions in humans and can be dangerous for animals

Cockroaches and bedbugs found on Marseille’s bus and metro network

Transport chiefs in the southern French city have called the infestation an ‘unprecedented phenomenon’

Electric ants, hornets: The battle against invasive species in France

The electric ant which has a painful bite was first detected in France last summer. Experts are now racing against the clock to stop the spread

Grub’s up: Insect farming for human food is French success story

How France has become a global leader in insect protein production and where you might eat it

A close up photo of processionary caterpillars travelling in a line

Toxic processionary caterpillars appear early in south France

The higher-than-average seasonal temperatures have caused the insects to appear two months early, presenting a danger to pets and humans

Insure your French home against bed bug misery for €2 per month

A start-up is offering ‘France’s first bed bug insurance’ and advice on how to avoid scams when trying to get rid of the insects

Mosquito screen reinvented by French couple after mesh misery abroad

Their polycarbonate solution also lets in more light and cools air coming through

A close-up of a large wasp on a piece of wood

Are there more wasps in France this year? Yes, says expert

Entomologist warns though that very hot weather can cause them to disappear and threaten the important role they play in biodiversity

Anti-mosquito campaign begins in south of France town after invasion

Visitors report being ‘devoured’ by the insects

A fork spearing an insect on a plate to show the concept of using insects in food

Beetle burger anyone? French firm allowed to cook with Buffalo beetles

The start-up now plans to step up production massively and wants to create burgers and protein bars

Why you may be hearing cicadas in France more this week

The noisy insects are found all over France but are particularly present in the south of the country

Traps placed to stop damaging Japanese scarab beetle coming to France

A national health and safety agency report says early action is needed to stop the invasive insect spreading into the country and destroying plants

A black and white tiger mosquito on human skin

Mosquitoes make their return in France: Tips on keeping them away

The insects, of which there are 70 different species in the country, are back slightly earlier this year

A door frame in a house surrounded by ants

‘They are everywhere’: French town suffers severe ant infestation

Residents say they can no longer go outside without being bitten by the insects, which belong to a notoriously-tough Mediterranean species

Biodiversity: Are Asian ladybirds threatening their French cousins?

The insects can be recognised by their distinctive orange-and-black colour forms, and nature experts say they have become invasive in recent years

An image of a tiger mosquito on human skin

Why CO2 tiger mosquito traps could soon be banned in France

Tiger mosquitoes are present in 57 departments and are capable of carrying diseases such as yellow fever and dengue

A two-spotted ladybird on a bright green plant

Aphid-eating ladybirds given free to gardeners in Normandy

The ladybirds can be extremely efficient ‘insecticides.’ The tradition of distributing them for free dates back almost 40 years

A close up of an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)

France to take action against Asian hornets and other invasive insects

A new 10-year plan will prioritise combating the spread of problematic species so as to protect native biodiversity and prevent disease

Processionary caterpillars on the move on a tree trunk

Local authorities act as toxic caterpillars appear again in France

Authorities are gearing up to fight the insects as warmer weather begins. The caterpillars’ hairs can be harmful to humans and pets and they damage trees

Nests of new bee-eating oriental hornets found in Marseille destroyed

The species, known to be highly dangerous to bees, had been found for the first time near the city earlier this year

Bee-eating oriental hornet discovered in Marseille, a first in France

The insect is highly invasive and known to be a ‘formidable predator’ of bees

Destructive oriental fruit fly found in South of France for first time

The insect was first found in France in 2019 in Paris and Occitanie. It can cause serious damage to fruit and vegetable produce

Why are there so many flies in southwest France now?

Insect experts say the recent extreme weather is likely the cause, but have warned that some kinds of flies and insects can be more dangerous than others

French town uses pheromone guns to stop toxic caterpillars reproducing

The processionary insects, which live in resinous trees with needles, can be dangerous to humans and animals

Where in France you are most at-risk from Lyme disease ticks

An initiative to track and stop the spread of pathogenic ticks found forest areas are the most likely locations but that more people are also being bitten in their gardens

No detail too small for amateur French insect photographer

Pierre Anquet has taken insect macro-photos for four years and they are recognised as among the best in the world

Public in France warned over low-hanging hornet nests

People are warned to be alert to nests in low hedges or on the ground after a farmer in western France died from a hornet attack

Insecticide harmful to bees temporarily allowed in France

Neonicotinoids have been approved for three years to be used in growing sugar beet despite having previously been banned, mainly due to evidence that they are toxic for bees

Local vs supermarket honey: a French honey producer's view

A dynamic Dordogne honey producer tells us about the challenges facing French beekeepers, and why we should check the label before buying miel in the supermarket.

Health warning in France: Avoid Tiger mosquitoes

Tiger mosquitoes could become a major health risk for the whole of France in the coming decades, a specialist government commission has warned.

Possible outbreak of dengue fever in Nice

Health authorities in the southern city of Nice are warning of a possible outbreak of native dengue fever spread by tiger mosquitoes after two cases were confirmed. Around a dozen others are suspected.

How to keep bugs at bay in rural French homes

A French man who blew up part of his home trying to swat a fly has inspired us to search out the best ways (without pesticides if possible) to handle common pests in the home or garden.