Korean Hornets: How to Safely Handle a Nest

If you’ve ever had the unpleasant surprise of finding a hornet’s nest outside your house in Korea, you know it’s not just a minor inconvenience—it’s a real threat. Korean hornets, especially the Asian giant hornet (nicknamed the "murder hornet"), can be dangerous. Their stings are painful, and for some, they can trigger allergic reactions or even lead to severe health issues.

First, let’s talk about why these hornets are more than just a nuisance. Hornets in Korea are aggressive, especially when they feel their nest is threatened. The Asian giant hornet is much larger than your typical wasp, and its sting packs a serious punch. Hornet venom can cause swelling, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, life-threatening allergic reactions. Even worse, they tend to attack in numbers when their nest is disturbed, making things extremely dangerous.

Last week, I was organizing my veranda when suddenly I saw a bunch of hornets outside my window. I knew immediately what was going on because we had a nest removed from that same spot about a year ago. Sure enough, the hornets were back and building a new nest.

Last year, we kind of panicked. At the time, we had a newborn baby, and the thought of him getting stung when he couldn’t protect himself was terrifying. That first experience taught us a lot, so this time around we knew exactly what to do.

We called 119. At first, the line was busy, but they said they would call us back. Within three minutes, they did, and we explained the situation. In just 10 minutes, three firemen were in my living room! They locked themselves in the veranda (which made my son very curious) and got to work. They smoked out the wasps, killed a bunch of them, and angered the rest. They also applied a chemical in the area where the nest used to be—a substance hornets absolutely hate. This helps prevent them from returning to build a new nest.

The captain advised us to keep the windows closed for a couple of hours because some of the hornets would likely return to look for their nest. From start to finish, the whole ordeal—calling 119 to nest removal—took just 30 minutes. What a way to start the morning! I’m incredibly grateful that Korea handles these situations so efficiently and with lightning speed.

If you find a hornet's nest outside your house, here’s what you need to do:

1. Stay calm and keep your distance: Don’t make loud noises or sudden movements near the nest. Hornets are sensitive to vibrations and may become aggressive if they feel threatened. Make sure you close your windows.
2. Call 119 immediately: In Korea, 119 is the emergency number for fire, medical, and rescue services, which includes pest control. Let them know you’ve found a hornet’s nest, and they’ll send trained professionals to handle it.

Once the team from 119 arrives, they’ll assess the situation and remove the nest. After the hornets are dealt with, keep your windows and doors closed for several hours, ideally up to 24 hours if possible. Hornets have strong homing instincts and often try to return to the exact spot where their nest was located. You don’t want them sneaking inside.

It’s smart to keep an eye on the area for a few days. Sometimes hornets try to rebuild their nests nearby, drawn by familiar pheromones or environmental cues. If you notice hornets returning in large numbers or hovering around, don’t hesitate to call 119 again to address the issue before it escalates.

In Korea, hornets can be a neighborhood problem, so it’s helpful to share this information with your neighbors. The more prepared everyone is, the safer your community will be!