Giant hornet nests threaten our bees! This is how we do it!

Giant hornet nests threaten our bees! This is how we do it!

In recent years, the Asian hornet has increasingly caused a stir in Europe. A particularly alarming incident recently occurred in Belgium, where an impressive nest measuring approximately one meter in diameter was discovered in Zoersel. This nest could produce up to 500 new queens that will become active next spring. Such nests often fall from trees in autumn where they previously bloomed unnoticed, which poses the risk of unexpected spread, such as Mercury reported.

The Asian hornet, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, has been spreading in Europe since 2004, after it was believed to have reached southern France in shipments of pottery from Shanghai. Since then, the species has spread throughout France and into neighboring countries; They have also recently been spotted in Hungary and Slovakia. This invasion not only impacts local biodiversity, but also causes significant damage to agriculture and beekeeping, such as Federal Environment Agency explained.

Threat to bees and pollinators

The Asian hornet is a voracious hunter that feeds primarily on honey and wild bees. Bees make up up to 80% of their prey. Hunting bees has significant consequences for pollination and therefore biodiversity in the region, which is particularly concerning for beekeepers. The loss of their bee colonies is a serious threat that is already being felt in cities such as Mannheim, Heidelberg and Saarbrücken.

If you encounter a hornet's nest, it is recommended to keep a safe distance of at least three to four meters and report the nest via a reporting portal. Unauthorized removal is considered dangerous because the hornet is defending its nest, as biologist Tim Adriaens emphasizes. Disturbances caused by vibrations or loud noises can alarm the animals, making the situation more dangerous, according to the report Mercury is explained.

The current situation in Europe

In 2014, the EU introduced a regulation to combat invasive species, which also includes the Asian hornet. Despite intensive control measures in countries such as France, where a national plan to monitor and control the hornet has been launched, the population continues to grow. Eric Darrouzet, a researcher at the University of Tours, estimates that the species is spreading by 60 to 80 km annually. Even if some successes can be reported, such as the eradication of the hornet in Mallorca in 2020, the prospect of complete eradication in Europe is slim Euronews reported.

Control should always be left to trained people in order not to endanger protected species. The Federal Environment Agency asks that discoveries be reported to the responsible authorities immediately, even if there is no longer any obligation to report since March 2025, as the species is considered established in Germany. It should also be noted that the use of decoy traps is not advisable, as they can also catch protected insect species.