Remove hornets, destroy nests

What should you know about hornets?

Hornets have a very bad, aggressive reputation, but in reality they are quite reserved and very useful insects. They hunt wasps, flies and smaller bees. Like most wasp species, they have a queen who builds a new nest every spring and raises her own colony. Hornets grow between 2 and 3.5 cm in size and, unlike wasps, show a striking triple coloring of reddish brown, orange to yellow and black.

People only attack them if their nest is directly threatened or if you kick or hit them.

What to do with annoying hornets?

Information on gentle, animal-friendly ways to get rid of hornets can be found locally Representative of the German nature conservation organization NABU, beekeepers or the fire department.

In the best case, hornets don't have to colonize your garden at all, because you can also prevent them. Above all, avoid windfall orchards and storing ripe fruits in your garden, as the adult hornets particularly like these. The sweet juices under the bark of ash, birch, pear trees and hedge bushes such as: b. Lilacs are also very popular treats for them. Therefore, avoid these trees if possible.

But if it does happen and hornets are camping in your garden, then NABU recommends a disturbing one The hornet's nest should be secured primarily with a privacy screen, a fence or wires so that no one accidentally comes across it comes too close. Keep in mind that the hornets' defense radius around their nest is between two and six meters.

What does it look like legally?

Hornets are under special protection in Germany. The German Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) and the Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) stipulate that hornets must not be caught, negligently attracted, injured or even killed. The breeding and resting places of wild animals are generally protected, which is why hornet nests must not be removed or destroyed. There are fewer and fewer hornets because their living conditions are deteriorating as a result of the destruction of biotopes and The lack of nesting opportunities continues to deteriorate, which is why the animals look for each other Replacement quarters.

In the past, many hornet colonies were killed or displaced because of fear of attacks. The false belief that three hornet stings would be fatal to humans and that the hornet was a very aggressive insect species led to mass control of the hornet. That's why it has been on the Red List of Endangered Animal and Plant Species since 1984 and is therefore subject to the strictest nature protection. Anyone who violates this will face severe penalties.

Depending on the federal state, fines of up to 65,000 euros are due for catching, injuring and killing as well as for damaging the resting places. For intentionally or negligently attracting, capturing or killing a queen hornet or one Hornet people can also open criminal proceedings and receive a prison sentence of up to five years be imposed.

What home remedies can you legally use to get rid of hornets?

In principle, you can legally drive away the protected hornets using gentle means as long as you do not use any substances that are harmful or injurious to health and leave the nest alone.

Home remedies that have proven effective for repelling hornets are intense scents that the insects avoid, such as burning coffee grounds, garlic or lemons. Place these in strategic locations that are frequently visited by the hornets. Tomato plants, basil or mint are also excellent for keeping hornets away.

You can keep hornets out of the house with fly screens and protective films on the windows. Spray cans with defensive foam or natural messenger substances can also gently help drive away the hornets.

Let the professionals do it

If you want to have a nest removed from the area around your apartment, you should first contact your landlord; he will take over if necessary. the costs. To remove a hornet's nest, you first need permission from your local government and the nature conservation authority.

Only an exterminator, a beekeeper, fire department professionals or conservationists are authorized to remove a hornet's nest. But this is only possible if there is an urgent need for action, such as those with allergies or small children caused by the hornets be at risk or if the everyday lives of those affected are significantly restricted by the nest in the neighborhood becomes. Only if it is not possible to gently relocate the strictly protected insects will tougher measures be taken. But the experts decide that.

Hornets and their nests are under strict nature protection and may only be driven away using legal, gentle means. Under no circumstances should you move or even destroy a nest yourself. However, the insects can be kept at bay with a few simple home remedies. If all of this doesn't help, then the professionals have to take over. With our tips you will definitely be on the safe side when it comes to hornets.