Hornet help

[GalaxyStars]

Please help wise mumsnetters!

We are on holiday in France and despite being here a week at not seeing any so far, tonight we have a swarm of hornets trying to get into our holiday house. So far 8 have got in and they are massive! They are flying into the (closed) windows and finally climbing up and into the house through the top of the patio doors.

We have had a few insect bites so I have been careful not to leave any food/drinks lying around and have wiped all surfaces carefully. So ... why is this happening and what can I do?

So far we have put cling film over the patio door gap. I'm guessing I should email the host tomorrow but what do I say? I want to leave but my plane isn't booked for another 3 days!!

All ideas welcome!

Bump - anyone?!

I’ve nothing really helpful to suggest apart from omg that sounds like a nightmare? Could there be a nest nearby? How did you get rid of the ones inside?
the cling film sounds like a good idea though to stop them crawling in.

Can you spray the gaps with insect repellent?
Hopefully the swarm will soon move on.

If it helps, my experience with hornets is that they are far less aggressive than wasps and will just go about their business if you leave them alone.

We had a nest in the wall above a door being used throughout the day.

Thank you for your replies, we are freaking out. The kids are in bed so are none the wiser. We killed the 8 inside ones by leaping around like idiots with bug spray and tea towels! Not perfect but we managed.

We have squirted bug spray in the gaps. I will look for any signs of nesting tomorrow. They're so big though! Tonight we've closed all inside doors and left a small lamp on for the kids (inside their room).

Should I email the host? If so, what shall I say? Would you be freaked out too?

Thanks, that does help! They're huge and I've been worrying about them attacking my DC whilst they sleep

Hornets won’t cause ‘bites’ like mozzies! If a hornet stings you you will know about it!

Is there a beehive nearby?

I think the bites were from mosquitoes or something else, but they are the reason I made sure that there was nothing appealing lying around.

We haven't seen the hornets before tonight so haven't looked for a nest - it's dark now but we will look carefully tomorrow. It seems strange that we haven't seen a single one before today but now there are so many!

Hornets generally target beehives, they’re also generally harmless (unless you’re a bee) if you leave them alone.

They’re giant noisy buggers though and I understand why you don’t want them sharing your holiday!

Get yourself one of these
www.amazon.fr/CONOPU-Moustique-electrique-Electrique-Protection/dp/B09VNNH9PK

We definitely haven't left them alone so far - they ARE giant and noisy! I'm glad they're not thought to be aggressive but I'd still rather they disappeared!

They are attracted to light, so close all blinds and curtains and turn off unnecessary lights.

I'd love one!!!

Yep, all lights off! We're hiding upstairs and DH is scrolling google for advice whilst I rely on mumsnet

They’re hornets, unless you’ve lit your place up like the sun they shouldn’t be causing you bother this time of night.

As @YesitsBess has said, hornets really are gentle giants and very, very unlikely to be aggressive toward humans. More of a problem if you happen to be a bee since they patrol up and down near beehives and wild bee colonies looking for a tasty morsel i.e. a bee. Aside from their huge appetite for eating bees, they are largely beneficial since they also feast on midges, gnats and mosquitos - this could actually be the reason for your influx of hornets this evening, in that there are a large number of mozzies around and the hornets have found a plentiful food source.

They are fascinating and rather beautiful, in their own way. Please try not to worry or kill them unneccessarily as they have their uses, like all insects

Oh, and before anyone starts scaremongering, the chances of them being Asian hornets are slim to nil. Almost certainly they are European hornets

There are more because it's been a very hot summer.

In the Corrèze if you're stung, don't mess about with a doctor but ring 15 for the SAMU. Thé French for hornet is 'frelon'. They're as big as my index finger. Bastards!

Morning update:

There are no hornets to be seen anywhere. No sign of any nests - nothing! It's like we imagined it. Is it usual for them to swarm and disappear completely?

I had them once at the window desperate to get in … and then they did. I opened the window at the other end of the room and they went straight out again. So bizarre - like homing pigeons or something determined to take that route and that route only.

That is strange. I'm hoping they've gone for good. You were brave to let them in!!

We had hornets near our house for a couple of years (no sign of them this year). They are attracted to bright lights, so suggest turning off lights. Agree that they are less aggressive than wasps but doesn't feel that way when 8 of them flying round the kitchen!

I’m getting strong Bee Movie vibes! I like to think they were on their way to an emergency.