Suspected Asian hornet nest in St Saviour's

Thursday 22 August 2019

The Asian Hornet Team believes there to be at least one hornet nest in St Saviour's and is asking everyone in the parish to check their properties and land.

Three Asian hornets were found and captured near the parish church earlier this week, next to some beehives in a private garden.

These are the first confirmed reports for quite some time, with the first being ten weeks ago when single hornet worker was trapped at a property in Forest Road.

Over the summer, Guernsey people have been very responsive, sending in photos and information to the Asian Hornet Team to report possible sightings. Up until now, most of them have turned out to be hoverflies which closely resemble the invasive species.

Pictured: Asian Hornet Strategy Project Coordinator, Francis Russell.

The team is asking that anyone with land or property within a 2km radius of St Saviour's Church thoroughly check all trees, hedges, bramble patches, outbuildings and walls for signs of a nest as soon as possible.

Usually Asian hornets prefer to build their nests high up in deciduous trees, but nests have previously been found in low down brambles.

If numerous large, dark-coloured flying insects are seen going back and forth from a particular area, it is likely a nest is present.

"The fact that we have not had any positive Asian hornet sightings for several weeks is encouraging but we know that there is not time for complacency," said Project Coordinator Francis Russell. "Whilst the efforts of spring queening may have maintained Asian hornet numbers at a low level, they may easily go undetected.

Pictured: Traps used by the States of Guernsey to trap Asian hornets.

"We wish to thank members of the public and the Guernsey Beekeepers Association for their assistance with hornet sightings so far, and would ask everyone to remain vigilant as it is important that any nests as found as soon as possible. The next couple of months are a critical time for controlling Asian hornet numbers as the next generation of queen hornets will shortly be leaving the nest to hibernate and any queens which survive in the spring will go on to build new nests next year."

Anyone who spots an Asian hornet is asked to take a photo of the insect if possible, noting the location and watching it long enough to determine the direction of travel, which can be used to help find a nest.