Asian hornet: identify and destroy the nest
A predator of honeybees and very defensive near its nest, the Asian hornet is spreading through the Alpine valleys. I destroy nests safely in the Chamonix valley, for the same price as a wasp nest.
- Same price as wasps
- Up to 15 m
- 7 days a week in season
Don't confuse it
with the European hornet
| Asian hornet | European hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 3 cm | Up to 3.5 cm |
| Colour | Almost black, one orange band | Reddish-brown and yellow |
| Legs | Yellow tips | Reddish-brown |
| Nest | High up, side entrance | Cavities, entrance underneath |
Primary nest, secondary nest
Spring: the primary nest
Founded by the queen alone, from orange to melon size. Low and sheltered: shed, garage, under a roof, hedge. Destroying it early prevents the big summer nest.
Summer: the secondary nest
The colony moves, often to the top of a tree. The nest can reach the size of a beach ball and hold several thousand insects until autumn.
Autumn: the queens leave
Future queens leave the nest to hibernate. The nest empties and is never reused, but the queens will found new nests in spring.
Safe removal,
even very high up
Full protective clothing, a telescopic pole of more than 15 m and product injected straight into the nest: the colony is neutralised with no cherry picker and no tree felling.
- Don’t trim the hedge or tree holding the nest
- Don’t throw anything at the nest or spray it with water
- Stay at least 5 m away
- Send me a photo taken from a distance
| Nest location | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Nest at 0–2 m high | €109 |
| Nest at 2–10 m high | €149 |
| Nest at 10–15 m high | €199 |
| Nest in a roof, loft, wall or under decking | €139 |
Same price as wasps and European hornets. Travel and results guarantee included.
How do I recognise an Asian hornet?
It is about 3 cm long, with an almost black body, a single broad orange band on the abdomen and yellow leg tips. The European hornet is bigger, reddish-brown and yellow.
How do I recognise an Asian hornet nest in Chamonix?
The secondary nest is round or pear-shaped, often very high in a tree, sometimes under eaves. It can reach the size of a beach ball and its entrance is on the side. In spring, the primary nest is smaller and lower: shed, garage, under a roof.
Is the Asian hornet present in the Chamonix valley?
It is spreading through the Alpine valleys and is increasingly found in Haute-Savoie. The lower parts of the valley, such as Servoz and Les Houches, are the first concerned. If in doubt, send me a photo.
What should I do if I find a nest?
Stay more than 5 metres away, do not block the entrance, do not throw anything at the nest and do not trim the hedge or tree it is in. Note its position and height and call me.
Can you reach a very high nest?
Yes. My telescopic pole lets me work more than 15 m from the ground, with no cherry picker. The price depends on height: €109 up to 2 m, €149 from 2 to 10 m, €199 from 10 to 15 m.
Further reading
Asian hornet: how to identify and deal with a nest safely
Yellow legs, a single orange band, a round nest high up: how to recognise it and react safely.
Wasp or hornet nest in autumn: should you remove it?
Dead or still active? How to check, when to leave it, when to have it treated.
Wasp or hornet? How to tell them apart
Size, colours, nest, behaviour: the comparison table so you never mix them up again.
Pests in your home?
Call me: I answer personally and give you a free quote. I come out within 24 to 48 hours anywhere in the Chamonix valley, 7 days a week for wasps, hornets and bed bugs.