There has been a worrying increase in the number of Asian Hornets identified this year, and the number of nests found and destroyed.
In a conversation with a SBI it was suggested that DNA analysis of Asian Hornets implied that some had overwintered in the UK – i.e. they arrived last year and were not found.
The BBKA has therefore asked us to ask all beekeepers to be on the alert for Asian Hornets and to PUT OUT AH TRAPS
This new page on the BBKA website has information on how to build an AH trap and how to report a sighting via the Android or IoS apps:
https://www.bbka.org.uk/help-the-fight-against-the-asian-hornet-invasion
This page on the website of the National Bee Unit gives a running update on AH sightings and nest sightings and destruction. There are a lot of entries this year.
https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/beekeeping-news/2023-asian-hornet-rolling-updates/#
The 2nd Monday meeting on Monday 14th August will focus on Asian Hornet and we will have a session on how to build a simple Asian Hornet trap. Further details of August’s 2nd Monday to follow.