Next stage of Asian hornets project starts

Sunday 09 June 2019

21 Asian hornet queens have been caught across the bailiwick as part of the successful 'Spring Queening' campaign implemented by the States as part of Guernsey's strategy to tackle the invasive species.

The project was the first part of a three-year strategy aiming to keep the population of Asian hornets as low as possible. Traps were set and volunteers were asked to check them every day for two months and report any hornets they found.

Pictured: Vale resident Lucy Harnden found an Asian Hornet in a trap in her garden shortly before Easter. 

Whilst an Asian hornet sting is not considered to be much worse than that of a bee or wasp, hornets are very defensive and will aggressively protect their nests. 

If the population of these hornets increases, they will then cause significant damage to our native insect populations, such as bees. 

The first recorded sighting of an Asian hornet in Guernsey was in March 2017 and over the last two years the number of nests found in Guernsey increased from two in 2017 to eight in 2018.  

All eight of these nests have been destroyed. The Spring Queening part of the strategy has now come to an end and the next stage is the Track don’t Trample campaign which reminds the public what to do if they see an Asian hornet. 

If you see one, take a picture of it and observe the direction it flies. You can report potential Asian hornets or nest sightings using the dedicated Asian hornet email (asianhornet@gov.gg) or by phoning 234567. 

It is important that you don’t kill them as this information can help the States to locate nests. 

Asian hornet nests may be found anywhere so it is important to be vigilant and the advice to gardeners and contractors is to check carefully for signs of activity before cutting back hedges or vegetation. 

Pictured top: Asian Hornet image supplied by Andy Marquis.