Here are some of the risks that you may wish to consider:

Location

• Are you next to relatively open buildings such as barns, outhouses, sheds or stables?  Are there rugs or clothes hanging up, boots lying around, storage boxes partially opened?  These are great locations for a primary nest.  

  • Tidy up and check regularly. 

• Is there a leafy beech hedge or similar near to a path anywhere? Or a big, dense clump of brambles?  Great place for hiding a low down, big secondary nest.  

  • Observe regularly and check before you trim your hedge or cut the grass.​​

• If you have tall trees, particularly oak or beech, check high up, usually above 10m, for a large secondary nest.​

Health​

• Children, the elderly and people with allergic reactions are more vulnerable to anaphylactic shock.  Consult your GP about having an Epi-Pen or similar for immediate first aid treatment.  

• 10 or more stings increase significantly the likelihood of a healthy person developing anaphylactic shock and Spanish experience indicates that the level of toxins can damage internal organs. Consult your GP.

Reaction

• European experience indicates that Asian hornets react less aggressively to someone close to the nest in white or a pale colour.  Brown and black clothing can stimulate more aggression.   

• If you are attacked, run away immediately and as fast as you can. The aggression tapers off the further you are from the nest.