You want to get rid of Asian hornets ? Don't crush them and follow our advice

Le frelon asiatique mesure entre deux et trois centimètres. MAXPPP – Benoit faivret

This invasive species, which arrived from China in 2004, capable of decimating bee colonies in a few hours, is a real problem for biodiversity. 

They come back every year during the good weather. And this year 2024 will be no exception. Asian hornets are on attack. They primarily worry beekeepers, but also individuals who have an exterior.

Vous avez un doute, asiatique ou pas 🤔?
57 secondes pour reconnaître un frelon européen qu'il ne faut pas éliminer, c'est l'ami des 🐝.#frelonasiatique#abeilles#apiculture pic.twitter.com/z5xdD5ukAO

— Simple d'esprit ou esprit simple … (@A_ESTIVAL) May 18, 2024

Recognizable by its two-tone yellow and black legs and its hairy thorax, the Asian hornet, which arrived in France in 2004, measures two to three centimeters. Above all, it is a real scourge for biodiversity capable of decimating a colony of bees in a few hours. For humans, their sting is particularly painful.

If the nest is built, it's too late

Every year therefore, it is advisable to get rid of it but not just anyhow. First of all, you should definitely not crush an Asian hornet. Because when it dies, the insect releases an odorous substance which warns the other members of the colony. Bottom line, for one crushed insect, you will have many more to deal with.

Les beaux jours arrivent, et le frelon asiatique aussi.

Après son arrivée en France et s'être étendu au pays limitrophe, cette espèce exotique invasive a maintenant été repérée dans le Bade-Wurtemberg. La commune de Rust appelle à la vigilance et à signaler toute observation. pic.twitter.com/BilFt2afki

— Mackadam. (@Mackadam_EPinfo) May 8, 2024

To protect yourself, it is better not to wait until the nests are installed. The insect population is then too large and only the intervention of a professional will allow the nest to be eradicated.

Make your own trap

As long as the nest is not built, it is appropriate at the end of spring and just before the start of summer to trap the queens coming out of hibernation to get into action for the season. This is the ideal time to use specific traps, available in gardening stores or to make yourself. The principle is to cut to make a sweet mixture that attracts the hornet without attracting the bee in a cut plastic bottle. Inside you can put white wine or fruit syrup or even dark beer…hellip;

It is imperative to set several traps and empty them with each new catch.

On the other hand, if the nest is already built, the authorities advise calling a professional and notifying your town hall who will advise you on how to get rid of it. No need to call the firefighters directly, they will only intervene at the request of the municipalities in the event of imminent danger (proximity to a school, a hospital, very large nest or within a home…).