Latest news with #AndySimms
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Brits issued Asian Hornets warning - How to keep home safe
While it was hoped a British winter would kill them off, it appears that the pests have survived, meaning it's likely they are now around for good. This means British gardeners may have to get used to deterring these pests if they want to be able to enjoy their outside spaces this summer and protect native wildlife. Hornets of any variety are not desirable to have around, but Asian hornets are particularly problematic. They have been responsible for wiping out honeybee populations across Europe, and can kill as many as 50 bees a day. They can also deliver a nasty sting to humans, which can be serious should you be allergic. Andy Simms from MyBuilder, said prevention is essential when it comes to Asian Hornets. It wouldn't be a @SteveBackshall show without a *very* dangerous creature making an appearance. Here, Steve gets up close and personal with the dreaded Asian hornet 🫣 The Secret Life of Bees. 29th May 9pm. Watch | Stream on 5#bees #secretlifeofbees #hornets — Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) May 29, 2025 'While it's currently unlikely that most of us in the UK will see any Asian hornets, like any pests, it's harder to get rid of them once they've arrived than it is to prevent them in the first place. Any sightings should be reported via the Asian Hornets Watch app. 'Removing food remnants and rubbish is a simple step to take, but for increased protection you should check the seals on your windows and for any gaps in our brickwork. "It seems like Asian Hornets are here in the UK to stay now, so proper measures may become necessary - and are useful to prevent other pests, too.' Below are MyBuilder's essential steps to take to protect your home and garden from hornets: Remove food sources Hornets will come to your garden looking for food sources, so the first step is to remove anything that will attract them. Fruit in particular attracts pests, so immediately remove any fallen fruit and don't leave any remains. Other food sources could be uneaten pet food, scraps left for wildlife, and bird feeders. Seal rubbish and move bins Sealing your rubbish bags and putting them into a bin prevents the smell of rotting food from attracting hornets. Compost bins also attract hornets, so keeping them sealed is very important. If possible, move your bins away from your home and garden. Plant off-putting plants Certain plants have a scent that is off-putting to hornets. Plants such as spearmint and lemongrass will deter them, as well as support pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Position them in areas where you most want to be rid of hornets, such as around the edges of patios or by any seating areas. Prevent the establishment of a nest Asian Hornets can make nests in trees/hedges. To stop Asian Hornets from establishing a nest in your garden, consider trimming back trees and hedges to reduce nest spots (but make sure you check your are legally able to trim first), and pick up dead plant debris that could shelter hornets and fill in holes in the ground to stop an underground nest. Recommended reading: Seal off key entry points The eaves and soffits of your property can form cracks over time, which gives Asian hornets perfect entry points into your home as they search for sheltered locations, away from predators. To stop this from happening, seal cracks with filler, before sanding and painting the area once dry. If this is a complicated job, call a local roofer for help. Install hornet traps There are many different types of traps you can use for Asian hornets, but traps that are especially made for them are the best because, if not, bees and other important insects can get trapped in them too. Your trap should be hung in a tree at head height, in a sunny area and away from deep shade where hornets are unlikely to forage. Traps typically range from £20 from most retailers.
North Wales Chronicle
19 hours ago
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Brits issued Asian Hornets warning - How to keep home safe
While it was hoped a British winter would kill them off, it appears that the pests have survived, meaning it's likely they are now around for good. This means British gardeners may have to get used to deterring these pests if they want to be able to enjoy their outside spaces this summer and protect native wildlife. Hornets of any variety are not desirable to have around, but Asian hornets are particularly problematic. They have been responsible for wiping out honeybee populations across Europe, and can kill as many as 50 bees a day. They can also deliver a nasty sting to humans, which can be serious should you be allergic. Andy Simms from MyBuilder, said prevention is essential when it comes to Asian Hornets. It wouldn't be a @SteveBackshall show without a *very* dangerous creature making an appearance. Here, Steve gets up close and personal with the dreaded Asian hornet 🫣 The Secret Life of Bees. 29th May 9pm. Watch | Stream on 5#bees #secretlifeofbees #hornets 'While it's currently unlikely that most of us in the UK will see any Asian hornets, like any pests, it's harder to get rid of them once they've arrived than it is to prevent them in the first place. Any sightings should be reported via the Asian Hornets Watch app. 'Removing food remnants and rubbish is a simple step to take, but for increased protection you should check the seals on your windows and for any gaps in our brickwork. "It seems like Asian Hornets are here in the UK to stay now, so proper measures may become necessary - and are useful to prevent other pests, too.' Below are MyBuilder's essential steps to take to protect your home and garden from hornets: Remove food sources Hornets will come to your garden looking for food sources, so the first step is to remove anything that will attract them. Fruit in particular attracts pests, so immediately remove any fallen fruit and don't leave any remains. Other food sources could be uneaten pet food, scraps left for wildlife, and bird feeders. Seal rubbish and move bins Sealing your rubbish bags and putting them into a bin prevents the smell of rotting food from attracting hornets. Compost bins also attract hornets, so keeping them sealed is very important. If possible, move your bins away from your home and garden. Plant off-putting plants Certain plants have a scent that is off-putting to hornets. Plants such as spearmint and lemongrass will deter them, as well as support pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Position them in areas where you most want to be rid of hornets, such as around the edges of patios or by any seating areas. Prevent the establishment of a nest Asian Hornets can make nests in trees/hedges. To stop Asian Hornets from establishing a nest in your garden, consider trimming back trees and hedges to reduce nest spots (but make sure you check your are legally able to trim first), and pick up dead plant debris that could shelter hornets and fill in holes in the ground to stop an underground nest. Recommended reading: Seal off key entry points The eaves and soffits of your property can form cracks over time, which gives Asian hornets perfect entry points into your home as they search for sheltered locations, away from predators. To stop this from happening, seal cracks with filler, before sanding and painting the area once dry. If this is a complicated job, call a local roofer for help. Install hornet traps There are many different types of traps you can use for Asian hornets, but traps that are especially made for them are the best because, if not, bees and other important insects can get trapped in them too. Your trap should be hung in a tree at head height, in a sunny area and away from deep shade where hornets are unlikely to forage. Traps typically range from £20 from most retailers.
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Nearly a quarter of people in Scotland have never seen a hedgehog in the wild - as trades unite to Help the Hedeghogs
Industry experts estimate that hedgehog numbers have been decimated in the last 20 years, and, sadly, new research indicates that many Scots have never had the privilege of seeing a hedgehog in the wild. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... To help raise awareness of the issue, the week commencing May 4 has been designated as 'Hedgehog Awareness Week', with the aim of educating Brits on how serious the issue is, and how they can support these stalwarts of British wildlife. Now, according to new data from the reliable way to hire tradespeople, 24 per cent of all Scottish residents have never seen a hedgehog in its natural habitat. And it's a problem that seems to be getting worse. While more than 80 per cent of the over 55s we surveyed across the UK had seen wild hedgehogs, in the 18 to 34 age range this dropped to only 60 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This means that almost half of young adults have never seen hedgehogs in their natural habitat - not surprising when experts believe numbers to have declined by 75 per cent since the year 2000. Hedgehog Awareness Week The MyBuilder stats showed that 57 per cent of people in Scotland had noticed the decline in hedgehog numbers. But despite these creatures now being rare, they are still one of the nation's favourites. A whopping 78 per cent of respondents said they found hedgehogs cute. A quarter of Scots stated that hedgehogs were their favourite British wildlife animal, and they're ready to help, too. Over (57 per cent) admit that they have noticed a decline in numbers in their local areas over the last few years. But happily, over two thirds (67 per cent) say they would be interested in helping hedgehogs live safely in their locality. It's a view echoed by who has launched its Trades to the Rescue: Help the Hedgehogs campaign to help provide the right guidance for Brits to turn their environments into a hedgehog haven, as well as encouraging their tradespeople to raise awareness and share advice with their customers. The MyBuilder guide has been put together by professionals who are passionate about helping bolster numbers of British hedgehogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gardens are vital to keeping hedgehogs safe and protected, and significant improvements can be made while balancing it with the reality of what is achievable in the majority of gardens. From building a hedgehog house, to providing access between gardens, there are options for everyone, and the guide will continue to be adapted as the year progresses. Andy Simms, from said that adapting gardens has been credited by hedgehog experts as making a massive difference to the welfare of hedgehogs. 'Simple changes can make such a difference, and don't have to cost much, either. Consider leaving wild areas, installing a little hedgehog house, and covering up any drains or holes that could be a hazard. Our guide will give you plenty of budget friendly ideas - and our expert gardeners are on hand to give any advice should you need it.' Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse from Tiggywinkles, the world's busiest wildlife hospital and a specialist in hedgehogs, said gardens are a vital resource to help the animals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This guide provides great basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs. On top of this, we would urge gardeners to take care when mowing, strimming, or hedgecutting. We see thousands of injuries from this sort of activity every year, and it can be easily avoided by checking the areas you are working on before starting.'
