Are Asian hornet traps reimbursed in France?
Projects near protected buildings and areas face tougher scrutiny
People can make homemade hornet traps, but store-bought ones are likely to be more effective and offer more protection against the accidental capture of bees and other important insects
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Reader Question: I think I have an Asian hornet nest on my land. Is there any help for me to destroy it or buy traps?
A 2025 decree in France saw the establishment of a plan to address Asian hornet (frelons asiatiques) nests across the country, in order to protect native species including bees against the invasive species.
Among efforts to improve tracing of Asian hornet colonies in France, it provided a framework for how the invasive species should be dealt with.
This included, among other things, rules on “funding from the state, local authorities, and socio-economic and health stakeholders allocated to…selective prevention systems, and the control of the Asian hornet,” including traps.
In March 2026, the government unveiled €3 million of funding to tackle the invasive species, which also includes information on how to install certain traps and the bait that should be used.
The government recommends:
However, bottle, bell, and jar traps are not recommended as they kill many other species alongside Asian hornets.
The full report can be found here – see page 32 onwards for more official advice on installing traps.
Dealing with nests as soon as they are spotted is vital, as if they are not destroyed the number of nests can quintuple the following year.
Aid from communes
Certain communes distribute free Asian hornet traps and some have done now for several years, including before the 2025 regulations.
Authorities have been free to allocate part of their budget to traps, often buying them and handing them out for free, and this will continue to be the case (although they will need to follow guidelines on approved traps included in the plan).
In addition, traps may be donated by local companies, or funds put forward by local organisations including nature groups to fund anti-Asian hornet action.
Communes may also receive an allocation of funding specifically for this purpose from the new project.
However, there is no national list of which communes offer this aid, so you will need to contact your mairie.
If you live in a bigger city, check the mairie’s website, or in smaller locations contact them directly by phone or email.
Check with your mairie as to its policies and if it can provide a free trap or, for example, a refund if you buy an approved kind yourself.
In Saint-Etienne, for example, traps can be collected for free from hand-out points and inArdenne Métropole they organise public meetings where they are handed out.
You may need to show proof that you live in the commune, through a utility bill or other document.
Such programs usually only last for a few weeks in the spring when it is best to set traps, and in smaller communes may be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Some communes also offer free, or subsidised, destruction of nests if you find these on your property.
Saint-Etienne and the Somme department are among locations that offer to cover 50% of the bill for clearing a nest if you hire a professional. Unlike funds for traps, these schemes are usually year-round.
Even if there is no direct aid, your mairie may be able to point you towards local organisations that could help.
