First recorded in south-west France in 2004, the yellow-legged Asian hornet has since spread across mainland France, Île-de-France included. It is recognisable by its dark body, the broad orange band on its abdomen and its yellow-tipped legs.
Its nest can be under a porch roof, in a garden shed or a hedge just as easily as at the top of a tall tree, above a café terrace or a building's courtyard.
Immediate reflexes
Health advice comes down to a few actions:
- Stay at least 5 m from the nest and keep children and pets away.
- Do not hit it, hose it, try to burn it or destroy it yourself.
- Before trimming a hedge or pruning, check for a nest hidden in the foliage.
- Skip homemade syrup traps: they are not selective, kill many other insects and do nothing about the nest.
The three useful contacts
First, the town hall: it knows which body coordinates control in the département and whether local help with destruction costs exists. Next, the INPN reporting platform, run by the French National Museum of Natural History, which records nests to monitor the species. Finally, a professional with suitable protective clothing, telescopic poles and authorised products, for the destruction itself.
The French law of 14 March 2025 aimed at curbing the spread of the Asian hornet strengthened the framework for this effort, notably by providing for a national plan.
Choosing the right time
In spring, the queen builds a small primary nest, often at head height: acting at this stage is simple. In summer, the colony often builds a larger secondary nest higher up. It is best treated quickly if it overhangs a busy area, and before autumn, when future queens leave it.
In winter, the nest empties and the colony dies; it is never reused. Destroying it then achieves nothing, unless it is at risk of falling.
For businesses and co-owned buildings
On a terrace, in a building's courtyard or near a school entrance, a nest calls for a quick, organised intervention: safety perimeter, timing chosen to limit foot traffic, information for occupants. The photo report provided at the end gives the manager or syndic a written record.
Key points
- 01At least 5 m away, no attempt to destroy it yourself.
- 02Homemade syrup traps do more harm than good.
- 03Town hall, INPN, professional: three complementary contacts.
- 04A nest treated early means a simpler intervention.
This article gives general information, up to date on its publication date. It does not replace legal or medical advice tailored to your situation.