Infiltrated a swarm of hornets' dwellings
In a unique and unexpected turn of events, residents of an apartment in Europe have found themselves sharing their living space with a colony of hornets. The discovery was made in the wooden cladding between a garage and a kitchen, where the hornets had built their nest.
Hornets, along with wasps, are protected under nature conservation laws in Europe. This means that disturbing or removing their nests is only allowed in exceptional cases or under official control programs. In Germany, for instance, wasps and hornets are considered wild animals, and the removal of nests is permitted only when there are special reasons.
The authors of this article, who have been living with the hornets throughout the summer, have taken a gentle approach towards these insects. They rarely kill wasps, instead choosing to guide them outside politely. However, they have noticed that some particularly annoying wasps have been eliminated.
Despite their efforts, the wasps continue to return to the apartment because they find food there. The authors suspect that there might be a nest somewhere, but it remains unseen. In fact, the authors have encountered hornets in their home before, with some finding their way into the apartment.
Last year, there was a digger wasp hole under a plum tree, which is protected because the digger wasps are endangered. This year, the authors filled in the digger wasp hole in winter, which is allowed.
One of the authors' most memorable encounters with a hornet was in winter when one was found in a repurposed pipe cleaner. The black and yellow critters in the nest are peaceful and feed on fallen fruit and other insects.
It is worth noting that the Asian hornet, an invasive species, is controlled by the destruction of nests under government agencies like Defra in the UK. However, the specific amount or enforcement details of the fines for unauthorized interference vary by country and local regulations. Consulting state or environmental agencies is mandated before any removal.
In Wiesbaden, Germany, the wasp advisory service must be consulted before any nest removal. France has legislation establishing a national control plan regulating hornet trapping and offering compensation to beekeepers.
In conclusion, while living with a colony of hornets can be an unusual experience, it is important to remember that these insects are protected under European nature conservation laws. Unauthorized interference can result in legal consequences, although the specific fines vary by country. Consulting local environmental protection agencies or legal texts would be necessary for information on a specific country’s laws or exact fines.
- As the colonies of hornets in home-and-garden spaces are protected under European nature conservation laws, the authors of the article have chosen a gentle lifestyle approach towards these insects, rarely killing them and instead politely guiding them outside.
- In Wiesbaden, Germany, the removal of a hornet nest from a residential property requires consulting the local wasp advisory service, as marked by local regulations.
