An invasive species established for nearly twenty years, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) keeps advancing in 2026, reaching new regions every year. A serious threat to honeybees and potentially dangerous to humans, it calls for particular vigilance in spring, when colonies develop.

How to recognise it

The Asian hornet differs from the European hornet in several ways:

• a black thorax and a dark abdomen edged with an orange band;
• yellow leg tips;
• a size slightly smaller than the European hornet;
• a characteristic hovering flight in front of beehives.

Where nests hide

In spring, a primary nest the size of a tennis ball often appears under shelter (roof overhang, shed, hedge). In summer, the colony moves to a large secondary nest, usually high up in a tree. A mature nest can house several thousand individuals.

Never approach a nest or try to destroy it yourself: hornets attack in groups to defend the colony.

React safely

If you spot a nest, keep your distance and report it. Destruction must be carried out by an equipped professional, ideally at the end of the day when activity drops. Our technicians work with suitable protective gear and telescopic poles to neutralise the nest without risk. Contact us for a fast intervention.

To reduce the pressure around your home in spring, installing selective traps at the right time helps capture the founding queens before colonies form.