# Asian hornet nest: what should you do?

> Do not approach the nest and never try to destroy it yourself. Move at least five metres away, report its position, then call a pest control professional with proper equipment. Depending on the area, the local council or the departmental control plan may cover part of the cost.

_Updated 2026-08-12. https://reporthornet.com/en/guide/asian-hornet-nest-what-to-do_

## What should you do straight away?

The priority is to move people and animals away without stirring the air around the nest. A disturbed colony comes out within seconds and pursues over several dozen metres.

1. Back away calmly, without sudden movements and without running straight past the nest.
2. Set a perimeter of at least five metres, more if the nest is low or near a walkway.
3. Move children and pets away, and close nearby openings.
4. Stop any noisy or vibrating work nearby: mower, hedge trimmer, scaffolding.
5. Note the exact position and how accessible the nest is, since those two points drive the quote.

## Why should you never remove a nest yourself?

Because the three causes of serious accidents come together: a colony that attacks as a group, a nest that is often high up, and products that require equipment and certification. Attempts with boiling water, petrol or a shotgun injure people every year and almost never eliminate the colony.

A professional works with a full suit, a telescopic pole and an approved insecticide, often at dawn or dusk when the colony is inside.

> A nest that looks inactive in winter no longer needs to be destroyed: Asian hornet colonies die at the first frosts and never reuse their nest the following year.

## Who should you contact to have a nest removed?

It depends on where the nest sits. On private land, removal is the owner's responsibility and calls for a pest control company. On public land, it falls to the local council.

- Nest on private property: pest control company, paid by the owner, with possible support from the council or the department.
- Nest on public land: the local council, which instructs its own contractor.
- Nest directly threatening people and out of reach: fire services no longer attend routinely, but can still be called for immediate danger.
- Any doubt about the species: have the identification confirmed before paying for an intervention.

## Is reporting worth it?

Reporting feeds the tracking of the species, which underpins the departmental control plans created by the 2025 French law. It is free and needs no account.

A useful report carries a precise position, a photo if it can be taken safely, and an estimate of the height. That also lets professionals listed for the area answer with a realistic quote.

## FAQ

### Is nest removal mandatory?

No general obligation applies to private individuals in France. The law of 14 March 2025 organises control nationally and at department level, but removal on private land remains the owner's decision unless a specific local order says otherwise.

### Do fire services still remove nests?

Not as a matter of routine. For several years fire and rescue services have reserved their intervention for situations of immediate danger and redirect other cases to private companies.

### What about a nest found in winter?

Nothing urgent. The colony is dead and the nest will not be reoccupied. You can remove it once you are sure no activity remains, or simply let it break down.

## Sources

- [French Law no. 2025-237 of 14 March 2025 on curbing the spread of the Asian hornet and protecting beekeeping](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000051329052)
- [Asian hornet portal, French National Museum of Natural History](https://frelonasiatique.mnhn.fr/)