Melle water tower: Massive Asian hornet nest removed at 44 meters

A massive nest of Asian hornets was removed from a water tower in Melle, Belgium, at a height of 44 meters. The nest, located under the tank of the tower, measured approximately 80 centimeters in diameter and was estimated to contain several thousand hornets.

Specialized exterminators from the firm Wespen in Nesten used an aerial work platform and hermetically sealed protective suits to perform the removal. To prevent the insects from escaping, technicians sealed the nest's access point and placed a large plastic container around it before carefully cutting it away from the structure.

The removal follows local concerns regarding the danger of the species; one resident reported being hospitalized in intensive care following a previous attack. To ensure all hornets and larvae are neutralized, the nest was placed in a sealed container and moved to a freezer for two days.