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In Germany, the willful killing of hornets is prohibited. But what are the penalties if one of the animals is killed? This article will enlighten you about it.
In a nutshell
- Hornets important for ecosystem
- Fines depend on the state
- between 5,000 and 65,000 euros
- Imprisonment possible for serious offenses
- Hornets are also under nature protection in Austria and Switzerland
Kill Hornet: Fines
Hornets (Vespa crabro) are particularly protected in Germany under the Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV). This means that they are completely protected species and it is expressly forbidden to kill them. If a violation occurs, you have to expect high fines. These are not specified by the federal government, but by the individual federal states. The following table gives you an overview of the possible maximum penalties when hornets are killed:
| federal state | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| Baden-Wuerttemberg | 50,000 euros (€) |
| Bavaria | 50.000 € |
| Berlin | 50.000 € |
| Brandenburg | 65.000 € |
| Bremen | 50.000 € |
| Hamburg | 50.000 € |
| Hesse | 50.000 € |
| Mecklenburg-West Pomerania | 20.000 € |
| Lower Saxony | 50.000 € |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 50.000 € |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 5.000 € |
| Saarland | 10.000 € |
| Saxony | 50.000 € |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 50.000 € |
| Schleswig Holstein | 50.000 € |
| Thuringia | 50.000 € |
| Source: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/tierschutz-hornisse/ |
Hornet queen building a nest
Notice: The same penalties apply to suspected attracting, capturing or injuring the insects. If the brood is intentionally destroyed, you must also reckon with high penalties.
Kill Hornet: Prison?
Depending on the federal state, killing the insects can even result in a prison sentence of up to five years. This penalty depends on the case and whether criminal proceedings are instituted against the perpetrator. In most cases, killing an entire colony or killing the queen will result in imprisonment. Without the queen, the nest perishes as only she can lay the eggs.
Notice: The penalties also apply if you, as a non-German, only visit Germany and kill a hornet.
frequently asked Questions
Are hornet nests allowed to be relocated on your own?No, hornet nests, like the breeding grounds of bees and wasps, must not be removed independently. Resettlement is only possible with the approval of the responsible nature conservation authority if the insects pose a direct danger to allergy sufferers, children or sensitive people in the household. The resettlement is initiated by the authorities. You are not allowed to go to the hornet's nest yourself, even with a permit.
When can hornet nests be removed?Like wasp nests, you may only remove hornet breeding grounds over the winter. A period from mid-November to early April is best for this, as the insects start building their nests from May. If the nests are uninhabited, they may be destroyed without permission. To be on the safe side, clean the area well afterwards, because the smell of the excreta attracts young queens in the spring.
What is the legal situation in Switzerland?In Switzerland, hornets are subject to nature conservation and, like in Germany, they may not be killed. According to Art. 20 Paragraph 2 of the Nature and Homeland Protection Ordinance (NHV), however, no nationwide fines are levied or criminal prosecutions initiated. According to Article 20, paragraph 2 of the Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Act (NHG), on the other hand, the cantons themselves are allowed to determine the level of possible fines.
Can hornets be killed in Austria?According to the Nature Conservation Union, hornets are protected and for this reason may not be killed either. However, like in Switzerland, there is no information about fines if the animals were killed. According to § 181 of the Criminal Code (StGB) "Deliberate damage to animals or plants", an offense can be punished with imprisonment of up to two years, depending on the severity of the case.