asian hornets
. . .or 'yellow legged' hornets
Although now well established across most of Europe, sightings of this invasive pest in the UK are increasing year on year. . . possibly due to the warming of the climate and less severe, protracted, frosts.
Asian hornets are not overly aggressive (unless their nest is threatened), so they pose no greater risk to human health than our domestic European Hornets. They do, however, represent a serious threat to our bee populations, with each marauding worker killing up to 50 honey bees each day!
To date; whilst Asian Hornets have been largely concentrated in the southern counties of the UK, confirmed sightings were recorded in Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham during 2023!
Their most noticable identifiable feature are bright yellow legs. . . but you'll find a fuller description and high resolution photograph of the Asian Hornet in the bonus content below.
BONUS: ASIAN HORNET IDENTIFICATIONThe Asian hornet is slightly smaller than our native species. Adult Asian Hornet workers are around 25mm in length (just less than an inch), with their queens marginally larger at approximately 30mm.
Their abdomen is mostly black, except for the fourth segment, which has a dark yellow band. Its face is orange with brownish red compound eyes and, of course, very noticable yellow legs.
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how to report sightings
The Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat is a joint venture between DEFRA and both the English & Welsh Governments to tackle the threat of invasive species. More information can be found on the Non-native species website.
You can now use DEFRA's free app, Asian Hornet Watch, to quickly and easily report possible sightings of this invasive species and send pictures of suspect insects to experts at the National Bee Unit.
For iPhones, go to the APPLE APP STORE or, for the Android version, ANDROID APP STORE.
Alternately, you can email details of your sighting to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk, or directly to dave@waspman.uk.
now tap to call 07533 915 640
disposal of the nest
As with wasps and the more common European Hornet, it is important that the nest of the Asian Hornet should be left undisturbed for several days after being treated. This will ensure that all members of a nesting colony have been exposed to the insecticide, including the hornet larvae and eggs. . . and to give workers time to return, carrying the poison deep into the nest.
BONUS: CAN I REMOVE A TREATED NEST MYSELF?Although you can dispose of a previously treated Asian Hornet nest yourself, there are two important safety precautions that you must take;
1: Before disturbing the nest in any way, you must be sure that ALL members of the colony have been eliminated.
2: The empty nest will contain a quantity of professional, high strength insecticide powder, which is extremely hazardous if breathed in. For protection you MUST wear a respirator or N-95 rated dust mask. . . a simple 'Covid' surgical mask does not provide the necessary protection!
Because of this contamination, the nest, whilst composed almost entirely of bio-degradable fibre, is not suitable for composting and should be sealed into black bags and disposed of in landfill*. The dead insects can be vacuumed up and added to the same contaminated waste bags.
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During the initial treatment visit, the Waspman® will quote to completely remove the nest, and dispose of the dead hornets. As a guide, this will usually be around £40 or £45, depending upon the nest's accessibility.
Go to: Waspman® fixed prices.
. . .or tap to call 07533 915 640
If you are not sure how far your property is from Llancloudy, the following towns and villages are all within 20 miles of the Waspman®
BONUS: WHERE CAN THE WASPMAN® VISIT?The following towns and villages are all within 20 miles of the Waspman® in Llancloudy; TILLINGTON : EARDISLEY : WEOBLEY : PETERCHURCH : DORSTONE : BARTESTREE : LEDBURY : BISHOP'S FROME : HOLME LACY : NORTON CANON : TRAM INN : DIDLEY : KILPECK : VOWCHURCH : LETTON : MUCH COWARNE : BOSBURY : HOARWITHY : MUCH DEWCHURCH : CLEHONGER : FOWNHOPE : BROCKHAMPTON : WITHINGTON : LITTLE DEWCHURCH : BLAKEMERE : CRADLEY : LEOMINSTER : CREDENHILL : BYFORD : HOLMER : MARDEN : HEREFORD : BARTESTREE : MORDIFORD : CREDENHILL : BREDENBURY : BROMYARD : PENCOMBE : RISBURY : BODENHAM
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