Man, 54, dies from hornet attack whilst gardening in France
Stings from invasive insects in north of France lead to anaphylactic shock
The pests, which frequently nest in trees, are mostly black with a single yellow/orange band towards the top of their abdomen, yellow ‘socks’ and an orange face
Brais Seara / Mikisa studio / Shutterstock
A man has died after being stung multiple times by Asian hornets while gardening in northern France
Laurent Duval, 54, suffered fatal anaphylactic shock after being attacked and stung in the head several times, reports Le Courrier Picard. The former firefighter was working in the communal gardens in the village of Monsures in the Somme when the attack happened on September 8.
Despite immediate assistance attempts to resuscitate him failed.
He was with a friend, also a former firefighter, who was stung on the arm, preventing him from performing cardiac massage effectively.
‘Once disturbed the hornets attack’
The men had unknowingly disturbed a nest.
Local beekeeper Emmanuel Andrieu, who later destroyed the nest, told local media that sudden gestures can trigger a defensive swarm: “They do not like movement. Once disturbed, they attack.”
The commune’s mayor, Aubert Wattez, confirmed that four nests have already been destroyed this year in Monsures.
Tips to stay safe from Asian hornets
Asian hornets are thought to have been accidentally introduced to France in around 2004, and are now found in all regions.
They have been in Somme since 2016. Haute-Corse is the only department free from them.
The pests are mostly black with a single yellow/orange band towards the top of their abdomen, yellow ‘socks’ and an orange face.
They can be distinguished from their European counterparts by their smaller size.
Their stings are usually no more dangerous than those of wasps or bees. However, multiple stings or allergic reactions can prove fatal.
Emergency services recommend that anyone stung who experiences dizziness, breathing difficulties or swelling should seek urgent medical help.
They tend to build ‘suspended nests’ high in the branches of trees.
However, sometimes, particularly with new colonies, their nests are found in tree trunks and stumps, attics, chimneys, dry stone walls and old straw bales, especially in rural areas.
If you discover a nest, you should leave the area immediately and prevent others from approaching it.
Contact your local mairie if it is on public land.
If it is on your land, removal requires a professional pest control service, which costs between €75 for an easy removal (if the nest is accessible) and up to €200 if specialised equipment is required.
Some departments may reimburse part of this cost.
