Another Asian Hornet Nest Found

Thursday 12 July 2018

Another Asian hornet nest has been found, with the latest discovery being in a shed in the L’Islet area yesterday morning.

A pest controller was called to attend the "small football" sized nest by the property owner who had spotted it between 250 metres and 750 metres from two recent sightings of lone hornets.

A third of the Asian Hornet diet is honeybees, and the species therefore poses a major threat to the Bailiwick's biodiversity. A typical hornet is three times bigger than a wasp – and although it's sting is no more hazardous to human health than a bee sting, they are more aggressive.

They were first spotted in the island last year, and efforts are being made to trace and eradicate the nests, before they do long-lasting damage to honeybee populations. The public are asked to be vigilant, and not kill any they come across. Instead they should report potential sightings, noting down the location and where the hornet came from and then flew to. If possible, a good quality photo should also be taken. 

Pictured: Previous, recent sightings have been near Castel Church and the GSPCA animal shelter 

Efforts to locate more nests will continue to be focused around St Andrew’s and the Longfrie following recent confirmed reports of hornets in these areas. A Queen Asian Hornet was among those previously spotted, after emerging from hibernation – these can be up to 3cm long.

Over the past decade Asian hornets have spread across western Europe. In 2012 two nests were detected in northern Spain. By 2016, this had increased to a suspected 10,000.

They have been spotted in the UK, France, Jersey, Alderney and Sark. 

Recently, a team from the University of Exeter was in Jersey to test a new method of locating the nests. They captured and partially froze hornets in order to place radio tags on them, using a sewing thread. Hornets then led the team to its nest, which could be dealt with.

Anyone who suspects a hornet sighting is asked to email all relevant information to asianhornet@gov.gg, or via the free app – Asian Hornet Watch – or call 234567.