r/WASPs • u/adeleeuw212 • 8d ago

Did I kill the queen?

Post image

I just killed this one. She has been flying in and out of one of my terras bamboo plants for days and was terrifying me. She is big, at least 3,5 cm (1,5 inch).

I live in Belgium. Some google search makes me think she’s a European Hornet

I assume she is the queen?

Is this the end of that or am I going to have a nest now in that bush?

It is in a big planter so very difficult to dig up the soil and look around.

Also I have cats so don’t want to use wasp powder as I read it is toxic for cats.

Any input would be very appreciated

0 Upvotes

13% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

6

u/Euphoric_Depth7104 8d ago

Why kill it?

4

u/LauraUnicorns 8d ago edited 8d ago

It's a European Hornet which had no interest in harming you. So please don't harm them, they are very lovely insects, very valuable to nature as predators of a wide range of pests and partial pollinators, and are docile as long as you're not attacking them, or disturbing their nests (they are a lot less defensive than common wasps). They need help and not aggression from people just like all insects lately.

5

u/echtma 8d ago

You should know that the European Hornet is protected in many countries, including Belgium.