Claudia Kaeufling from Karlsruhe-Grötzingen experienced a dangerous encounter with Asian…

Claudia Kaeufling from Karlsruhe-Grötzingen experienced a dangerous encounter with Asian hornets while gardening with her son. During hedge trimming, both were attacked by the hornets; Claudia suffered an anaphylactic shock and was hospitalized.

The Asian hornet often builds nests in hedges, roller shutter boxes, or birdhouses. The queen starts nest building in spring at protected sites. In Baden-Württemberg, the number of nests has doubled, and the state supports professional removal. About 70% of colonies move in summer to larger secondary nests in trees, which can grow to the size of a medicine ball. The Asian hornet is not protected and is controlled because it consumes large amounts of pollinators like honey bees and wild bees annually, harming ecosystems and beekeeping.