Asian hornet: This is where it hides its first nest on your house.

Von the outside, everything looks calm: the sun comes out, and the lawn is calling. Meanwhile, high up beneath the roof or tucked away in the garden shed, a tiny, well-camouflaged building project is getting underway. A single Asian hornet queen shapes a grey paper sphere - barely larger than a table tennis ball, yet with explosive growth potential over the summer.

The silent spring threat

In late winter and early spring, the overwintered queens of the Asian hornet wake from their dormant state. Between mid-February and the end of May, they go looking for a place to settle - and they deliberately choose areas around houses, garages and garden summerhouses.

At first, they build what is known as a primary nest: tiny, easy to miss, and usually only three to five centimetres across. This early stage is crucial. If the nest is spotted now and removed by a professional, no large summer colony with hundreds of workers will develop.

The earlier the first miniature nest is found, the lower the risk of later mass emergence in late summer.

What begins as a harmless-looking paper ball can turn within a few months into an imposing structure that is constantly visited by hornets. As the nest grows, so does the risk of stings and the danger if anyone gets too close, makes noise or works nearby.

Under the roof: the queen’s favourite zone

Most primary nests are built close to the house, often directly beneath the roof edge. For an initial check, you do not need a ladder or specialist equipment. A careful look from the ground is enough, provided you know where to focus.

Roof areas to keep an eye on

• Porches and roof overhangs on sunny sides of the building
• Fascia boards and side cladding along the roofline
• Cladding and coverings on balconies or carports
• Boxed-in sections and casings beneath the gutter

Scan slowly along the underside of the roof edge. Pay less attention to the nest itself and more to the insects’ behaviour: a single insect repeatedly flying to the same point and briefly disappearing there is a clear sign.

Typical signs of an early nest:

• Grey-brown paper ball, smooth or slightly marbled
• Size: about a table tennis ball, sometimes a little smaller
• Opening facing downwards or to the side
• Position sheltered from the weather and slightly sunny

The most common find: directly beneath the underside of the roof, close to the roof edge, in a sheltered spot with timber nearby.

Always keep several metres away. Anyone who tries to “take a closer look” from a ladder is putting themselves at unnecessary risk. It is better to observe from the ground and, if needed, use binoculars.

Garden shed and summerhouse: the hidden second address

Alongside the roof edge of the house, the garden shed is another classic place for the first nest. Many people do not enter it for months during winter - perfect protection for a searching queen.

Where the nest likes to hide in the shed

Typical places inside include:

• The junction between beams and roof panels
• Dark corners near the ceiling
• The underside of shelves or ledges at head height
• The inside face of door lintels

It becomes dangerous when someone opens the door in spring, lowers their head, picks up a rake or spade - and works just a few centimetres from the nest without noticing it. In that situation, the queen can quickly feel threatened and may attack.

For a safe inspection:

• Pause briefly at the doorway before entering and look up.
• Use a torch to search the ceiling area slowly, especially in corners.
• Do not move things abruptly or make “test holes” in the ceiling.

A calm, thorough visual check in spring greatly reduces the chance of unpleasant surprises while tidying up.

How to spot an active Asian hornet nest early

Alongside the small paper ball, the insects’ behaviour and subtle sounds provide clues. Even a single insect repeatedly approaching the same point can be enough to confirm suspicion.

Typical signs of an active nest

Clue	What it suggests
Regular flight to a fixed point	A route into the nest, often with only one hornet visible
Soft, low buzzing near the nest	Construction activity or movement inside, more common with a larger nest
Hornet repeatedly using the same route along the roof edge	Navigation between a food source and the nest

If nothing moves at the suspected spot for a day or two, that does not automatically mean all is clear. Temperature, time of day and weather all affect flight activity. If you are uncertain, check again at different times of day.

What you must not do

Many accidents happen because people try to intervene quickly and without protection. The reflex to grab a broom, garden hose or spray can have serious consequences.

• Do not hose the nest down with water
• Do not burn it or stab it
• Do not spray ordinary insecticide near the nest
• Do not seal or block the entrance hole
• Do not carry out loud work right next to the nest, such as using a drill, petrol strimmer or hammer drill

The rule is: see it, keep your distance, secure the area, report it - never try to remove it yourself.

What to do if you find a nest

If you discover a nest, move away calmly but decisively. Children and pets should no longer enter the area. Keep windows and doors to that side closed if they lead indoors.

Helpful steps after finding one:

• Take a photo from a safe distance, zoom in only, and do not use flash.
• Note the exact location, for example: “under the roof edge on the south side of the house, to the right of the balcony”.
• Ask your local council or town hall which specialist service is responsible.
• Restrict activities in the immediate area until it has been professionally removed.

In many places, local authorities work with trained pest control specialists who have protective clothing, specialist treatment and experience dealing with the Asian hornet. Especially at the early stage, a primary nest can usually be removed more quickly and with less effort.

A clear photograph and an accurate location note can save valuable time for whoever handles the removal. It also helps prevent repeated checks in the same place, which reduces stress for everyone involved.

Why the Asian hornet is such a problem

Beyond the sting risk, this species is especially troubling for beekeepers and conservationists. The insects hunt honeybees and other pollinating insects intensively. A large nest can significantly increase pressure on nearby bee colonies.

Hornets also react very strongly to vibrations and sudden movement near the nest. Accidentally placing a ladder against the roof area or using a petrol strimmer along the shed wall can trigger a defensive attack. Several stings in a short time place heavy strain on the circulation, and people with allergies can suffer severe reactions.

Practical tips for homeowners and gardeners

With a few regular routines, many nests can be found in spring before they grow large. A fixed inspection date every few weeks is often enough.

• In March and April, take a look under the roof edge when you first mow the lawn.
• When opening the garden shed or garage, check upwards first.
• While having coffee on the patio, occasionally observe the gutter and roof overhangs.
• Keep a simple pair of binoculars handy so you can inspect suspicious spots from a safe distance.

If you are making changes to your property, think ahead: enclosed cladding, tightly fitted boards and fewer open gaps beneath roof overhangs leave fewer places where a queen can start unnoticed.

If your home has older timber details or open eaves, routine maintenance is a good time to close gaps and loose joints. That not only makes the area less attractive to nesting hornets, but can also reduce access for other insects that seek sheltered spaces.

Important advice on stings and behaviour

If someone is stung near a nest, they should leave the area immediately and calmly. Do not slap at the insects, do not wave your arms around, and do not make sudden movements. In most cases, just getting several metres away is enough for the hornets to lose interest.

If there are multiple stings, stings to the head or neck, or a known insect venom allergy, call emergency services at once. Early warning signs such as shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or a widespread rash are alarm signals.

For healthy people, single stings are painful but usually manageable: cool the area, keep it raised and monitor it. If you are unsure, seek medical advice, especially for children and older people.

With a watchful eye, a few targeted spring checks and a willingness to call in professionals, the risk from Asian hornets can be reduced significantly - before the tiny paper nest grows into a buzzing colony.