We have a problem with hornets in the roof over our dining room. They sometimes get inside, and seem very aggressive. Every summer, they come back. What can we do?

JP, Hampshire

The hornet is the biggest wasp found in the UK, and the workers of the species are 35mm long – even larger than the queens of the common wasp. Its distinctive yellow and brown markings ensure it is easily distinguishable from the common wasp, which is yellow and black.

Hornets are becoming more common in the UK; no longer restricted to southeast England, they are found as far north as Yorkshire. They normally nest in the hollows of decaying trees, but, as you are experiencing, they may settle in a roof space, and so find their way inside. Wasps return to their nest at dusk, but hornets can fly in the dark and, like moths, are attracted to artificial light. Once in, they are difficult to coax out. An insect of this size inside the house can be alarming, but they are more docile than wasps and less likely to sting unless provoked.

If you feel that you cannot live alongside them, don’t try to deal with the problem yourself: call in an expert. Just like wasps, hornets will attack in numbers if they perceive that their nest is under attack – and that’s not what you need to face when you are up a ladder.

Visit the British Pest Control Association website (www.bpca.org.uk) for a list of local contractors.

Richard Strand, a chartered biologist, runs Pest Information Consultancy, rstrand@pestinfo.co.uk

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