So if they are so close to the patio area - and may therefore feel threatened whenever we are there also - what do we do? We are perfectly happy to let the little beasties have their lair until autumn and wait for them to die off unless they start to sting and I turn out to be allergic - as I am with bee stings? I have never been stung by a hornet and have no idea whether I would be allergic or not, however, if I am, and anything like the reaction I had to bee stings, then I might be in trouble? Advice please from anyone who has had a similar scenario? The tree sounds as though it will be OK but does anyone know if there is a connection between the stings of bees and wasps please?