• According to the German government, the Asian hornet is now an "established invasive alien species" in Germany.
• The species is no more dangerous to humans than native hornets or wasps.
• The future strategy: broad education, targeted removal in sensitive areas and protective measures in beekeeping.

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) has increasingly spread in Germany in recent years and has been considered an "established invasive alien species" in Germany - including Aachen - since March 25, 2025, according to the German government. The municipal control and eradication obligation is therefore no longer applicable and is moving into a so-called management phase. How this will be structured is currently being agreed between the city of Aachen and a broad group of experts based on the current state of knowledge. The basic aim is to minimize the impact on human health, biodiversity and the economy - especially on beekeeping and apiculture. In the case of the Asian hornet, different interests, fears and observations are currently clashing. "However, a coordinated and joint approach is particularly important in combating this invasive species," says Heiko Thomas, Head of the Environment Department of the City of Aachen. "This is the only way we will be able to deal with this situation appropriately. The aim of the efforts is to better inform the public and to agree on suitable measures to avert danger in both private and public spaces."

In order to bring together different perspectives, the city council invited representatives from professional pest control, nature conservation, agriculture and the beekeeping community to exchange ideas. This group of experts held constructive discussions on experiences with the species, possible measures and a joint communication strategy.

It quickly became clear: the Asian hornet has unfortunately arrived and is here to stay. The task now is to agree on a long-term approach and information offer. As it has no natural enemies, it will not disappear again, as numerous other EU countries - France, the Netherlands and Belgium - have shown. Experts emphasize that the Asian hornet poses no greater threat to human health than native wasp or hornet species. The animals behave predominantly defensively and only defend their nests in the immediate vicinity. There is therefore no increased risk for the general population. However, as with other insect stings, a sting can have corresponding health consequences for allergy sufferers. However, experts consider the impact on regional biodiversity to be rather low.

Impact Primarily on BeekeepingThe economic damage
primarily affects the beekeeping industry, which is forced to implement appropriate countermeasures. The Asian hornet often hunts near beehives and can capture honeybees there. Since the honeybee, which is widespread in Europe, lacks adapted defense strategies, beekeepers are urged to take appropriate protective measures for their colonies and to stay informed about current recommendations from research and practice. Recommended measures include structural modifications to beehives, such as smaller flight holes, protective screens, or protective barriers around the hives.

One measure that is strongly discouraged, however, is the use of traps to catch young queens in spring. Despite product claims to the contrary, these traps are not specifically designed for the Asian hornet. They therefore cause damage to other insects, as an immense by-catch has been proven. Non-specific hunting with traps is a violation of the prohibition of killing under sections 39 and 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act and is therefore prohibited.

Targeted Approach Instead of Blanket
ControlThe number of sightings is also on the rise in Aachen: While around 30 reports were recorded in 2024, the number had already reached the low three-digit range by 2025. Approximately 40 nests were removed by city officials last year. However, many nests are not discovered until late in the year—often not until fall, when they become visible in the treetops. By that point, the insects have often already spread further, so removal then has only limited effect. According to experts, large-scale control measures do not yield lasting success. Furthermore, experience shows that only a small fraction of the nests are actually located in sensitive areas. At the same time, removal is often labor-intensive and costly. For this reason, both the city and experts recommend targeted control of the Asian hornet in sensitive areas, primarily by professionals and at the right time.

As a result, the city will adopt a targeted approach moving forward: nests will be removed primarily in areas where there are specific risks—such as near schools, playgrounds, daycare centers, or in the immediate vicinity of residential buildings. The City of Aachen will remove Asian hornet nests in public areas to protect these specific locations and ensure public safety. Anyone who discovers such a nest in a public space at a potentially sensitive location can report it at stadt.aachen@mail.aachen.de or by phone at 0241 432-18180. Such nests can also be reported via the city’s defect reporting system: https://maengelmelder.aachen.de/.

Nests on private property must be removed by professional providers, such as pest control companies, commissioned by the owners.

Education as the Most Important
ToolAll experts involved in the discussions agreed on one point: factual information is the most important tool in dealing with the Asian hornet. In Europe, people must learn how to deal with it, and a pragmatic approach to managing this species must be developed.

In the long term, many experts believe it will be a matter of living with the species and at the same time limiting the potential impact on individual areas - in particular beekeeping - as much as possible.

Have you spotted an Asian hornet? You can report sightings on the LANUK (State Agency for Nature, Environment, and Climate of North Rhine-Westphalia) neobiota portal: https://neobiota.naturschutzinformationen.nrw.de/neobiota/de/fundpunkte/erfassung