European hornets · all Essex
Hornet nest removal in Essex
Same £125 as wasps. No hornet surcharge. Hornet nest removal for sheds, trees, lofts and bird boxes.
No call-out fee ✓ Free revisit ✓ Bees left alone ✓
Phones 8am–9pm, 7 days · treatments sunrise to sunset
Field guide
Wasp, European hornet or Asian hornet?
Three insects, three different answers. Check the colour and the size, then look at the stamp.
- We treat
Common wasp
- Size
- Up to 2cm
- Colour
- Bright yellow and black
- Nests
- Lofts, soffits, wall gaps, ground
- We do
- Treat it: £125
- We treat
European hornet
- Size
- Up to 3.5cm
- Colour
- Brown-red head, yellow abdomen
- Nests
- Hollow trees, sheds, bird boxes, lofts
- We do
- Treat it: £125
- Report it
Asian hornet
- Size
- Up to 3cm
- Colour
- Mostly dark, one orange band
- Nests
- High in trees, sometimes low in hedges
- We do
- Report it, never treat
Side by side
How to tell the three apart at a safe distance
Look from at least a few metres away. Never get close to a nest entrance to check.
ID CARD — WASPS AND HORNETS
| Common wasp | European hornet | Asian hornet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Up to 2cm | Up to 3.5cm | Up to 3cm |
| Colour | Yellow and black stripes | Brown-red and yellow | Dark with one orange band |
| Legs | Yellow | Brown | Yellow tips |
| Nest site | Lofts, eaves, ground | Trees, sheds, cavities | High in trees |
| Active | Daytime | Day and dusk | Daytime |
| What to do | Call us | Call us | Report it |
Seen an Asian hornet?
Report a suspected Asian hornet. We don’t treat them.
Asian hornets are an invasive species. Sightings go to the national reporting service, which deals with the nest.
Don’t approach it
Keep well back from the insect and any nest. Don’t try to trap, swat or spray it.
Photograph from a distance
A clear shot from a safe spot helps the experts confirm it. Note the place and time.
Report it in the app
Use the Asian Hornet Watch app or the official online form. That team handles the nest.
European hornets
How hornet nest removal works at your property
Hornets defend their nest harder than wasps. So we keep you further back and treat from a safe distance.
A wider safety zone
We clear people and pets well back from the nest before we start.
Treat at the entrance
Professional dust goes in at the hole the hornets use. Nothing is cut open.
Quiet within a day
Returning hornets carry it inside. The nest is usually inactive within about 24 hours.
Lookalikes
Hornets and the insects mistaken for them
Filter the cards. Bees are never treated; Asian hornets are reported.
We treat
Common wasp
Vespula vulgaris
Smooth, bright yellow and black. Regular traffic to a single nest entrance.
Identification guideWe treat
German wasp
Vespula germanica
Yellow and black with a narrow waist. Often nests in roof spaces or underground.
Identification guideWe treat
European hornet
Vespa crabro
Large, with a brown-red head and yellow abdomen. May fly at dusk.
Identification guideDon't treat
Tree bumblebee
Bombus hypnorum
Fuzzy, ginger thorax and white tail. Often uses bird boxes.
Identification guideReport it
Asian hornet
Vespa velutina
Mostly dark, with a single orange abdomen band and yellow leg tips. Report a suspected sighting.
Report a suspected Asian hornet
5 species shown
Hornet questions
Hornet nest removal: what people ask us
How much does hornet nest removal cost in Essex?
£125 for one European hornet nest, the same as wasps. No call-out fee and a free revisit if it is still active.
Do you remove Asian hornet nests?
No. Suspected Asian hornets must be reported through the Asian Hornet Watch app or the official non-native species service. We don’t treat them ourselves.
Are European hornets dangerous?
They are usually calmer than wasps away from the nest. Close to the nest they defend it hard, so keep well back from the entrance.
Where do hornets nest in Essex?
Hollow trees, bird boxes, sheds, wall cavities and loft spaces. They like dark, sheltered spaces with a small entrance.
Do hornets fly at night?
European hornets keep flying at dusk and can be drawn to lit windows. Close windows or curtains in the evening if a nest is nearby.
We never treat beesIf you have bees, we'll put you in touch with a local beekeeper for free.
Hornets in the shed? Same £125. Call today.
£125 fixed. No call-out fee. Free revisit if it's still active.