The wasps & hornets guide
Identification, risks, active season: answers to the most common questions about wasps and hornets.
Wasps, European hornets, Asian hornets: telling them apart
The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is yellow and black, measures 12 to 17 mm, and builds paper nests often visible under roof eaves. The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is larger (25 to 35 mm) with reddish-brown tones. The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), an invasive species recorded in France since 2004, is recognisable by its velvety black thorax and yellow-tipped legs — its nest, often high up in trees, can grow to the size of a basketball. Whatever the species, our wasp and hornet nest removal is adapted to each situation.
A seasonal cycle worth knowing
A colony starts each spring from a single founding queen and can reach several thousand individuals by autumn for the Asian hornet. Sting risk peaks in late summer, when colonies are at their most active and most defensive of the nest — the best time to plan a preventive intervention.
Stings that can be dangerous
A single sting is painful but rarely serious for a non-allergic adult. The real danger comes from multiple stings (Asian hornets can sting several times) and severe allergic reactions that can lead to anaphylactic shock. A nest near a walkway or home should always be handled by an equipped professional — never on your own.
What to do if you find a nest
Never attempt to destroy a nest yourself, especially with water or fire — the insects actively defend their colony and the risk of multiple stings is real. Keep children and pets away from the area, and call a Certibiocide-certified technician, trained under official biocide product regulations and equipped with full protective gear, for safe removal. In a condominium, this also raises a question of organisation — see our article a wasp nest in a condominium: who intervenes, who pays.
How much does nest removal cost?
Nest removal costs €130 including tax at hand height, and €170 including tax for a nest high up. Learn more about our nest removal service or see the full breakdown on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Wasps & hornets: the full FAQ
A hornet is noticeably larger (up to 3.5cm) with a brownish-orange body, while a common wasp is slimmer, smaller, with clearly marked yellow and black stripes.
The Asian hornet has a generally darker body than the European hornet, with a distinctive yellow tip on its legs and an almost uniformly brown-black thorax.
Under roofs, in attics, hedges, trees, or sometimes in the ground for certain wasps. Asian hornets tend to favour nests high up in trees.
Activity increases from spring to autumn, generally peaking between August and October when colonies reach their maximum size.
A single sting is painful but usually not serious for a non-allergic person. However, multiple stings or an allergic reaction require urgent medical attention.
Move away from the area immediately and contact emergency services without delay, especially if there's difficulty breathing or a widespread skin reaction.
This isn't recommended: without protective equipment or suitable products, the risk of multiple stings is high. A safe professional intervention is strongly advised.
The intervention itself usually takes less than an hour. A follow-up check is then recommended a few days later to confirm there's no residual activity.
A nest is never reused from one year to the next, but a favourable spot (attic, roof) can attract a new colony the following season if nothing is done to limit access.
Inspect attics and roofs regularly in spring, seal unused openings, and limit accessible food sources (fallen fruit, open bins) around your home.
An active nest near you?
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