Asian Hornet Outbreak
- PGM & SON
- Sep 8, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Amidst reports of an Asian hornet outbreak in Cornwall, bee keepers are being asked to be extra vigilant whilst bee inspectors are being deployed to monitor local bee hives. Whilst the Asian hornet isn’t any greater risk to humans than a bee, they pose a serious risk to honey bee populations causing damage to honey bee colonies.
Members of the public are also being asked to be on the look-out for signs of the Asian hornet and to report any sightings to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk together with a photo. We’ve seen a rise in calls for pest control for hornets recently although we’ve yet to come across an Asian hornet.
If you have a hornets' nest, or think you’ve spotted an Asian hornet in Herefordshire or Worcestershire call 01981 540088
The 'Asian hornet', scientific name Vespa velutina, is an invasive non-native species from Asia. It first arrived in France in 2014, and has since been spreading rapidly, with the first UK sighting in 2016.
It is a highly effective predator of insects, including honey bees and other beneficial species. It can cause significant losses to colonies, other native species and potentially ecosystems. Isolated Asian hornets nests have previously been spotted in Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire.
As Gloucestershire is the next county to Herefordshire, we encourage people to be extra vigilant particularly in September which is the peak activity period.
So, what should you be on the look-out for?
Well, the Asian hornet normally can be found high in trees or man-made structures (e.g. sheds), but sometimes closer to the ground (e.g. ceramic plant pots).
As highly aggressive predators, they hunt honey bees and other insects and feed on fruit and flowers. With a glut of blackberries at this time of year it makes for an excellent food source. To spot the Asian hornet, use the comparison below:
The Asian Hornet
Queen up to 30mm long
Worker up to 25mm long
Legs yellow at ends
Dark brown / black abdomen with yellow /
orange band on 4th segment
Head dark from above, orange from front
Dark antennae
Entirely black velvety thorax
Never active at night
The European Hornet
Queen up to 35mm long
Worker up to 30mm long
Legs brown at ends
Dark brown / black abdomen with yellow /
Yellow abdomen with brown on upper part, not banded
Head yellow from above and front
Yellow antennae
Thorax black with extensive brown markings
May be active at night
For more information, please visit: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk or http://www.nationalbeeunit.com
Hornet stings can be much more painful than a typical wasp sting due to the levels of venom they carry and, like wasps, they are capable of stinging multiple times. They’re also quite loud – a nest of hornets can sound quite frightening.
Normally, hornets are great for the environment – they are important pollinators and nature’s pest controllers as they feast on aphids, making them a gardener’s best pal.
However, the Asian hornet poses a real threat to honey bees and so speedy action needs to be taken to identify the species of hornet and deal with it correctly.
If you’ve found a hornet’s nest you should call a professional pest controller to give you advice and NEVER APPROACH OR TOUCH OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE A HORNETS NEST YOURSELF.
If you’ve got a hornet nest, and live in Herefordshire or Worcestershire, don’t panic – call PGM & Son Pest Control today on 01981 540088, who will destroy and remove the hornets’ nests for you.
Learn more about hornets and how a professional pest controller deals with a hornet nest removal.
