Have you noticed more Asian hornets in your yard lately? It’s not a coincidence. Vespa velutina — the Asian hornet now widespread throughout Europe — does not arrive in our green spaces by pure chance: it is literally guided by smells, plants and daily habits that we often do not suspect at all. With the warm season, sightings multiply and new studies tell us that some gardening choices can make a huge difference. Knowing what attracts them is the first, concrete step to limit their presence — and to protect the bees that suffer so much.
In home gardens, the main culprits for the arrival of Asian hornets are fruit trees. Apple trees, pear trees, cherry trees, apricot trees: all ripe or rotting fruits give off intense sugary odors which immediately attract these insects. As soon as a fruit begins to ferment, it becomes a practically irresistible attraction. Regularly collecting fallen fruit is already a concrete preventive measure.
But it doesn’t end here. Even the perfumes we wear, especially those with notes of vanilla, caramel or coconut, can turn a walk in the garden into an attraction for these winged predators. Even air fresheners and certain scented detergents are among the culprits. In nature, the sap of certain trees — such as the weeping willow or oak — also acts as a lure. For an Asian bumblebee, anything that smells sweet or floral can be both a source of food and a potential nest-building site.
Flowers rich in nectar and dense climbers: the winning combination for Vespa velutina
Asian hornets are also attracted to flowers with a high nectar content, especially sunflowers, cornflowers and marigolds. These flowers, in addition to being beautiful, release intense scents which represent an authentic source of energy for these insects. A study published in the Journal of Pest Science (2023) confirmed that Vespa velutina shows a marked preference for gardens with a high density of honey plants, where it can prey on foraging bees with greater efficiency.
When it comes to building secondary nests – the large ones, which appear in summer after an initial hidden phase – hornets prefer elevated and well-protected areas. Imposing trees such as poplars and oaks, or old ivy creepers, offer the ideal environment: shaded, sheltered from the wind and rich in resources in the immediate vicinity. In addition to nectar, what they most urgently seek is protein to feed the larvae, obtained mainly by preying on honeybees and other pollinators.
The most recent research also highlights a worrying fact on the spread front: according to the LIFE STOPVESPA monitoring (2024), Vespa velutina has now permanently colonized a good part of northern and central Italy, with a faster progression towards the south than expected. Climate change, with milder winters, favors the survival of the founding queens and therefore the expansion of the species.
How to catch them without harming other beneficial insects: the method that really works
For those who want to keep the presence of Asian hornets under control without harming pollinators, the most tested solution remains the plastic bottle trap. Easy to do at home, recommended by beekeepers and many Italian and French municipalities. Simply cut a bottle, turn the top upside down like a funnel, and pour inside a mix of 1/3 beer, 1/3 white wine (which keeps bees away) and 1/3 sugary red syrup.
The strong odor of this mixture effectively attracts hornets, but to avoid trapping harmless insects it is essential to drill 5 to 7 mm holes in the bottle, so that the little ones can get out without difficulty. The traps should be placed near sensitive areas such as vegetable gardens, fruit trees or relaxation areas in the garden, and checked every few days.
It is worth remembering, however, that traps alone are not enough to solve the problem if there is already a nest in the garden: in that case it is always better to contact the local authorities or an expert beekeeper, absolutely avoiding intervening alone. Vespa velutina, if disturbed, can become very aggressive.
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