Asian Hornet update: more nests found, more destroyed

Thursday 09 August 2018

Two more Asian Hornet nests were destroyed in St Peter's yesterday morning.

Both nests were found at ground level, the first was a small nest in a hedgehog house nearby to the nest that was treated toward the end of last month, and the second was a larger nest found in brambles near a vinery, around 600m away from the other two.

A further nest was also found for the first time in St Andrew's last week, and this will be treated as soon as possible, the States said. This newest nest is at the top of a tree and will be more difficult to get to because of the logistics of accessing the site.

These new finds bring the total number of nests found in 2018 in Guernsey to five.

A spokesperson for Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services said: "Efforts to locate more nests will continue to be focused around St Andrew’s, where Asian hornets have been feeding on the sap of an oak tree and been observed ‘squabbling’ with each other at this food source, therefore suggesting that they are not from the same colony. There have also been unconfirmed sightings in the Cobo area.

"The public are encouraged to be vigilant and report any potential sightings. Please check your land and property including sheds and outhouses for nests; it is recommended that you check vegetation for signs of a nest before cutting or clearance work."

Most of the sightings reported last year were of native wildlife and the general public are encouraged not to kill the insects that they find. If a suspected hornet is sighted, the people should take a good quality close up photo if possible and email this to asianhornet@gov.gg. Please include with your sighting report the following information:

• the location;
• the direction the hornet came from and subsequently flew to; 
• your name and contact details.

Or alternatively, the sighting can be logged through the free iPhone and Android recording app: Asian Hornet Watch, or telephone 234567 with as much information as possible.