Duisburg fights against the Asian hornet: Free nest service!

Duisburg fights against the Asian hornet: Free nest service!

An initiative against the dreaded Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) has recently been launched in Duisburg. Since March 2025, citizens have been able to report nests free of charge, which will then be removed by qualified pest control companies. This is how the city reacts in a timely manner to a problem that not only endangers local insects, but also beekeeping. After all, the Asian hornet feeds on honey bees and other insects, especially in late summer and autumn, which could massively affect pollinator performance, reports Radio Duisburg.

The Asian hornet, which came to Europe via goods transport in 2004, is spreading rapidly, especially in West Germany. It differs from the European hornet and has a black or brown exoskeleton with striking yellow feet. This species was added to the Union list of invasive species in 2018, which requires EU member states to combat it, reports NABU.

tasks of citizens

The Lower Nature Conservation Authority in Duisburg asks residents to report suspicious nests. If you suspect anything, these can be sent by email to artenschutz@stadt-duisburg.de. The report should definitely include the location, a photo and a telephone number so that the authorities can react quickly. The goal is to remove the primary nests in a timely manner, because a neglected nest can quickly lead to a secondary nest with several thousand hornets, according to the Federal Environment Agency.

A hornet colony can contain up to 2,000 individuals, while native hornet colonies usually only number around 700 animals. The first detection of the Asian hornet in Germany was documented in Waghäusel in 2014, and the rate of spread is around 80 kilometers per year. In some federal states there is still a chance of containing the spread, while the hornet is already widespread in western Germany.

What to do if there is a finding?

It is important for citizens to be able to distinguish between the Asian hornet and the European hornet in order to avoid making false conclusions. A discovery should be reported in the following steps:

1. Überprüfen, ob es sich tatsächlich um eine Asiatische Hornisse handelt.
2. Den Befund über die Meldeplattform des Bundeslandes oder die NABU-Web-App melden.
3. Das Nest professionell entfernen lassen, um Aggressionen der Hornissen zu vermeiden.

While the Asian hornet poses a threat to native fauna, it is no more aggressive than its European relatives as long as you do not approach the nest directly. However, caution is advised because their nests can be worth protecting the ecosystem, which is why removal by trained professionals is recommended.

Duisburg's head of the environmental department, Linda Wagner, also sees responsibility for containing this invasive species. She emphasizes that the city's goal is to contain the spread of hornets and thus help local nature.