Hornets

Asian Hornet alert!

apiarymanager Hornets
Asian Hornet
We have received a request from the National Bee Unit to ask everyone to keep an eye open for the Asian Hornet.
A nest was recently found near Tamworth, and it’s around this time of year that people start seeing the workers. It has been found that they don’t hawk outside hives that often and the best place to see them is on ivy flowers or fallen fruit. If you could please spend 20 minutes/ half an hour looking at a nice sunny patch of ivy it would be very helpful. If you do see anything, then please let us know so we can advise the Bee Inspector.  A photo / sample would also help greatly with positive identification.

asianhornetAsian-Hornet-ID

PBKA Asian Hornet Coordinator

apiarymanager Hornets

We would like to remind all beekeepers of the importance to monitor for the Asian Hornet, as early discovery may be the only opportunity we have of preventing them from becoming a major problem. Details about the Asian Hornet can be obtained at NBU link and there is also information available on an NBU Asian hornet trap . If anyone does spot something suspect, then they should take a photo, or catch one and put it in alcohol or the freezer and report it immediately.

To assist in this process, the PBKA has appointed an Asian Hornet Coordinator, Peter Kirkup, to coordinate information and guidance relating to possible sightings. Peter can be contacted on 07770 883720.

Asian Hornet update

apiarymanager Hornets

One of our bee inspectors advises that she has spent the best part of September in England chasing Asian hornets and the monitoring going on by the public has been variable. The only chance of preventing them from becoming a huge problem is to stop them early.
This is a link to the NBU Asian hornet trap
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadNews.cfm%3Fid%3D122&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiB6r7BxNrdAhUGRBoKHfLMDwMQFjAAegQIBRAC&usg=AOvVaw3OJJgtczld3fdegpUk6fy6
Note that Asian hornets are apparently quite hard to ID when they’ve been in a trap for a while, so people need to have a good look.
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadDocument.cfm%3Fid%3D1111&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjfwNSnx9rdAhWozoUKHRryAW0QFjABegQIChAC&usg=AOvVaw24hja23fncO753eEKcMrEO
The most Asian Hornets have been seen on ivy and other forage, picking off flys and other insects (as this is easier than hawking in front of a hive) so if everyone could spend half an hour every so often watching some forage there’s a chance of spotting them if they’re here.
If anyone does spot something suspect then THEY NEED TO TAKE A PHOTO OR CATCH ONE AND PUT IT IN ALCOHOL OR THE FREEZER. The bee unit and non-native species have had over 4000 reports of Asian hornets that are actually something else (one was a cockroach!) people can also download the Asian hornet app, which has ID info and you can report sightings.

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Asian Hornet sightings confirmed in Liskeard and Hull

apiarymanager Hornets, PBKA

The BBC report that sightings of the honey bee-killing Asian hornet have been confirmed in Cornwall and East Yorkshire.

Work is under way to identify any nests in Liskeard and Hull, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

The Asian hornet is smaller than the native hornet and poses no risk to human health, but does pose a risk to honey bees.

Inspectors are monitoring areas around the sightings.

Nicola Spence, Defra deputy director for plant and bee health, said: “These sightings in Liskeard and Hull underline the need to remain vigilant.

“I want to encourage people to look out for any Asian hornet nests and if you think you’ve spotted one, please report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45481353

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