Luxembourg has launched a hornet hunt

Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity has unveiled an emergency plan for 2026 to combat the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax). The document, signed by Minister Serge Wilmes, provides for direct financial support to citizens for the removal of nests on private land. The main aim of the programme is to stop the development of colonies at an early stage in order to minimise damage to local pollinators and beekeeping.

The spread of this invasive species in Europe has been recognised as a critical issue at EU level (Regulation No 1143/2014). In Luxembourg, the situation is exacerbated by climate change: mild winters help the founding females to survive, leading to a sharp increase in the number of colonies during the summer. At the same time, the authorities emphasise that the insect poses no immediate danger to humans, provided the nest is not disturbed and the work is left to professionals.

State financial assistance is structured in such a way as to encourage the detection of outbreaks in the spring. The amount of compensation depends on the complexity of the site:

• Up to €50 is allocated for early-stage start-ups.
• Up to €100 – for primary nests at an advanced stage.
• Up to €300 is paid for the removal of large secondary nests requiring complex technical intervention.

To receive payment via the Guichet.lu platform, strict protocols must be followed. The treatment must be carried out by a certified specialist using methods that prevent biocides from entering the environment. A critical aspect of the plan is correct identification: the European hornet (Vespa crabro), unlike its Asian counterpart, is considered a beneficial species and is protected; therefore, its extermination is not only not subsidised but also not recommended.

Minister Serge Wilmes noted that the 2026 plan forms part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems. Whilst the Nature and Forests Administration (ANF) is responsible for population control on public land, in the private sector the responsibility for calling in experts lies with the landowners. The effectiveness of the strategy depends directly on the speed of response during the spring, which helps to avoid costly and dangerous operations at the end of the season.