Gżira residents fear a hornet infestation in their locality after a man was temporarily blinded from being stung.

Reports of nests in the seaside locality have been on the increase, with oriental hornets seen in the balcony of a private residence in Cameron Street and another in the square next to the health centre.

A reader, Phyllis Sammut Smith, called for urgent action after the incident involving the man.

A council spokesman said the nest in the square was removed but nothing could be done for the one in the balcony because permission from the owner was required.

Concerned neighbours said the nest in the balcony was most active in the morning, when about 15 hornets emerged. Some of them told the Times of Malta they were afraid of walking past the house, fearing they might be stung.

“We are trying to establish contact with the owners, who do not live there at the moment, so that it is removed as soon as possible. At the moment, our hands are tied,” the council spokesman said.

In the past few years, reports of hornets nesting in urban areas have increased. Nests in Ħamrun, Marsa, Floriana and Pietà have been reported.

Environmentalist Alfred Baldacchino said it was still unclear why this was happening.

“The question we should be asking is: what is attracting this species to urban areas? It could be waste but it could also be that they are coming in with ships transporting goods, for instance,” Mr Baldacchino said.

Hornets are only dangerous if they feel threatened, but when they do attack, they tend to do so in great numbers.

“One should avoid getting too close to hornets’ nests and catching or touching the species; once they feel threatened, a whole colony of some 15 hornets can attack,” Mr Baldacchino warned.

Oriental hornet

• Oriental hornets (Vespa orientalis) are present in southern Europe and the Mediterranean and have also been recorded in Malta.

• They prey on other insects, including bees, and are very active in late summer and early autumn and attack when they feel threatened.

• Their stings can be very dangerous and may require urgent medical attention, especially if a person is stung several times or suffers from allergies.