«I was terrified!», When a Calabrone nest broke the holidays and ruin the note of an Airbnb host

The story has everything of a summer nightmare: fascinating rental on Airbnb, a couple of pensioners looking for tranquility and … an invasion of hornets that transforms the dream into anxiety. Behind this tragicomic news hides a very serious warning for the owners for seasonal rentals: today, a bad experience can not only cost a lot, but also to contaminate your digital reputation for a long time. Here is the story, the risks and above all the solutions.

A summer holiday that turns into drama

Jacqueline and Henri, 68 and 70, had planned everything. Book a small detached house near Nîmes, away from the Parisian heat wave. Wooded garden, air conditioning, swimming pool above ground: the promise of a quiet stay.

Except for the third day, while Henri opens a component, a rhombus stops him. A nest of hornets, the size of a handball ball is immersed just above the boa window. The rest of the holidays? Passed in fear, the shutters closed, to desperately call the owner … who did not answer.

The couple left two days before expected.

The opinion that hurts … and the classification that dives

Jacqueline did not chew his words on Airbnb: «Fascinating home, but a real danger. Impossible to take advantage of it. No reaction from the guest. I was terrified.» Result: a total note of 2 out of 5 stars, mentioned at the top of the owner's profile.

This note, visible to all future travelers, was sufficient to bring down his reserves. In less than a month, three cancellations, including two with direct comments on health risk.

A simple natural accident triggered a cascade of consequences. Airbnb, for his part, did not withdraw the opinion: «We cannot censor an honest experience», he will respond to their customer service.

Because the owners must (really) protect themselves

It is not just a problem with insects. Today, the short-term rental has become an ultra-commun, ultra-communs, ultra-comprehensive product. A dysfunction – also natural – misunderstood, and is the reputation that falters.

And this reputation is not a detail: it conditions the filling speed, the position in the search results, also the decisions of moderation of the platform. Some hosts see their accommodation temporarily Deindexed for «recurring problems reported by travelers».

A simple hornet can cost a month of income.

Anti-Boure Reflex: anticipate natural risks

A nest of the wasps? A tree that falls? Water infiltration during the storm? In summer, these dangers are frequent. Still, many owners do not think they prevent them or integrate them in their management.

First simple step: inspect the accommodation before the high season by a professional. Average cost? 80 to 120 €. Profitability? Of course, when you know that a bad note can reduce 30 %reservations.

Second reflection: View in the accommodation (and in the digital reception book) a local emergency number, a clear education in case of danger and a reactive contact channel. «I didn't answer, I was in motion» it is no longer excusable in 2025.

Insurance? Yes, but not by reputation

Some domestic insurance now include a clause «Disorders caused by fauna». Useful ? Yes, but only covers cross section costs. Reputational damage? Zero euros.

In other words, even if you are compensated, the note is there. And the future tenants will see it.

Professional advice: Add a specific extension to the seasonal rental in the insurance contract. And above all, never wait for the customer to discover the problem. Act, inform, compensate if necessary.

Good practice: automate the day before and contact with the customer

Today there are tools that allow you to monitor accidents remotely in accommodation (via sensors, SMS notices, etc.). Better again: some concierge centers offer a 24/7 penalty to react immediately in case of emergency.

Another intelligent solution: automatic messages programs after 24 hours of stay to ask if everything is fine. This simple gesture can defuse a problem before exploding in public comments.

It is less than a minute to plan, for dozens of more positive comments.

The story of a couple: a warning more than a complaint

Contacted after their misadventure, Jacqueline and Henri insist: «We didn't want to damage, only to warn. The owner seemed overwhelmed, not mischievous. But he should have been more present.» «

And this is the whole problem: the perceived quality depends on the quality of the reaction. Not absolute comfort. A present and reactive owner, which offers a partial solution or refund, would probably have collected … a 4 star.

Fear, in this case, did not come only from Hornets. It was born from silence, empty, absence of human relays.

My analysis: every opinion is a showcase … and a crisis test

What I remember from this story is that a simple natural detail can become a digital disenchantment lever. On Airbnb, the customer is a judge, sworn and sometimes executioner. The minimum accident becomes a public story. And in this universe, not having a crisis plan is to shoot a dart in the foot in the middle of the season.

The good news? Everything is preparing. An inspected house, a benevolent contact, a quick response … and even the worst misadventures become anecdotes managed with the class.

Owners: your reputation is not due to your walls. Lives in your reactions.

Share this article if you have already experienced stress like host or traveler, ask your questions in the comments or you say to your worst galleys … we will all get something.

* Koliving.fr is an independent and non -affiliated real estate media to an entity that offers operational collping services. Access to koliving.fr is completely free. Its loan is based in particular on the display of strategic advertising and partnerships.