Latest news with #AsianHornetWatch
BBC News
29-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Calls to report yellow-legged hornets in Kent
A council in Kent has joined calls for its residents to report sightings of the yellow-legged hornet, which has been described as a "highly aggressive'" wasp, also known as an Asian hornet, is an "invasive, non-native species" which has been sighted in the county over the past few has been found in places including Canterbury, Deal, Appledore, Ramsgate, Langley, Folkestone, Broad Oak, Nonington and and Hythe Borough Council is now asking its residents to log sightings on the government's Asian Hornet Watch app. Experts at the British Pest Control Association said in May people should tell the Non-native Species Secretariat "as soon as possible" if they spot the a highly effective predator yellow-legged hornets can cause significant losses to bee colonies, other native species and potentially are active between April and November, but especially in August and who suspect they may have seen the species are requested to report it with a photo and details online, but "should not disturb an active nest".Jackie Thomas, Dover and District Beekeepers' Association education officer, said: "They are quite distinctive – with the main feature being an orange face, a black body, striped back, yellow legs and about the size of a two pence piece."We would suggest people download the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' free Asian Hornet Watch app where you can take a photograph and easily upload a picture of your sighting."
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Warning after surge in Asian hornet sightings
The sting is often compared to a red hot needle 🐝 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets across the UK. The Asian hornet is said to have an incredibly painful sting. Members of the public are being warned following a rise in sightings. There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, with members of the public being warned to stay vigilant. Asian hornets are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004. They are an invasive species which pose a significant threat to many of the UK's native insects, including honey bees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, in 2025, mainly in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire. There have been 182 confirmed sightings since 2016. This figure includes a total of 119 nests, all of which were destroyed. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Members of the public are being warned not to destroy Asian hornet nests. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What does an Asian Hornet look like? The yellow tailed hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, has a slightly different appearance to wasps and other hornets - most prominently, it has a distinctive black/dark body, with a wide orange stripe on the fourth abdomen section and yellow leg ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What should you do if you see an Asian Hornet? If you see an Asian hornet you should report this immediately, do not try to approach or tackle the hornet yourself, as they are generally seen as more aggressive than wasps and will potentially sting unprovoked. The government have a dedicated reporting system, so that sightings or locations of nests can be recorded and then removed by the invasive species team. If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet, take a picture if you can do this safely and provide details of the location it has been spotted. You can then either report this by filling out the online report form, or through the app 'Asian Hornet Watch', which is available on both iPhone and Android, alternatively, you can also contact the team by e-mail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in May 2024, Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 'By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.' Why should you never destroy an Asian Hornet's nest? You should never approach or attempt to destroy an Asian hornet's nest. Whilst, they are not usually aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat to their nest. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. It is vital that if you see a nest you do not attempt to destroy it and instead contact the relative authorities so it can be recorded and properly managed. You can find out more about Asian hornets, what they look like and how to report a sighting at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Warning after surge in Asian hornet sightings
The sting is often compared to a red hot needle 🐝 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... There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets across the UK. The Asian hornet is said to have an incredibly painful sting. Members of the public are being warned following a rise in sightings. There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, with members of the public being warned to stay vigilant. Asian hornets are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004. They are an invasive species which pose a significant threat to many of the UK's native insects, including honey bees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, in 2025, mainly in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire. There have been 182 confirmed sightings since 2016. This figure includes a total of 119 nests, all of which were destroyed. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Members of the public are being warned not to destroy Asian hornet nests. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What does an Asian Hornet look like? The yellow tailed hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, has a slightly different appearance to wasps and other hornets - most prominently, it has a distinctive black/dark body, with a wide orange stripe on the fourth abdomen section and yellow leg ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What should you do if you see an Asian Hornet? If you see an Asian hornet you should report this immediately, do not try to approach or tackle the hornet yourself, as they are generally seen as more aggressive than wasps and will potentially sting unprovoked. The government have a dedicated reporting system, so that sightings or locations of nests can be recorded and then removed by the invasive species team. If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet, take a picture if you can do this safely and provide details of the location it has been spotted. You can then either report this by filling out the online report form, or through the app 'Asian Hornet Watch', which is available on both iPhone and Android, alternatively, you can also contact the team by e-mail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in May 2024, Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 'By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.' Why should you never destroy an Asian Hornet's nest? You should never approach or attempt to destroy an Asian hornet's nest. Whilst, they are not usually aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat to their nest. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. It is vital that if you see a nest you do not attempt to destroy it and instead contact the relative authorities so it can be recorded and properly managed.
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Asian hornet horror as record numbers invade Britain with worst areas mapped
More Asian hornets have been spotted than ever before in Britain, with beekeepers calling on the public to help detect the 'highly aggressive predator' this summer Britain is braced for a record year of invasive Asian hornets, with more sightings of the yellow-legged killer pest so far this year than ever before. The species are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004, and ever since have posed a serious threat to the UK's native insects, including honey bees. As well as their differing appearance from wasps and other hornets with their yellow legs, they are more likely to aggressively sting unprovoked. As of June, 30 sightings of bee-killing Asian hornets have been confirmed by lab tests. However, according to the National Bee Unit, 39 "credible" sightings have been reported so far this year, with more awaiting confirmation. At this point in 2024, there had been 20 sightings of Asian hornets, while at this stage of 2023, there had been just four. Of the most recent confirmed sightings, the vast majority have been in Kent, but hornets have also been captured in Sussex and Hampshire. However, one of the sightings still awaiting lab confirmation was made as far north as Mordon in County Durham. The National Bee Unit says nine Asian hornet nests have been destroyed already this year. Last year, 24 nests were found and destroyed. In 2023, a record 72 hornet nests were destroyed. The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is calling for help from the public to help detect this "highly aggressive predator which causes a significant risk to honey bees and other pollinators in the UK". Beekeepers are worried because a single hornet can kill between 60 to 90 honeybees in a day, and groups of them will "hawk" a hive at any one time by decimating the bees. Yellow-legged Asian hornets are easily identifiable due to their very dark body and wide orange stripes on the fourth abdominal segment. Originally from Asia, they were first recorded in Europe in France in 2004 when it is believed a hornet arrived in a shipment of pottery from China. In 2016, the hornets were found in the UK for the first time in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The BBKA is now urging everyone to report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app. A spokesperson for the BBKA said: "It is important not to approach or disturb a nest, as although they are not generally aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat." Asian hornets are slightly smaller than European hornets and can be identified by their distinct markings. They have yellow legs, an orange face, and a dark black/ brown body with one yellow or orange stripe on the lower abdomen. Sightings can be reported via the Asian Hornet Watch app - which is available to download for Android and Apple device - online at or by emailing alertnonnative@ For guidance on how to report and spot Asian hornets, you can head online here.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Households urged to plant £1.08 herb immediately to keep Asian hornets away
Brits have been warned to plant a certain herb to deter Asian hornets, as these invasive stinging insects are capable of destroying bumblebees and ravaging gardens British gardeners have been warned over record sightings of a terrifying hornet that destroys bees and flowers – fortunately, there's one popular herb that will keep them at bay. Asian hornets are a highly invasive species that were accidentally introduced to the UK in 2016. They are known to decimate bee populations and ravage ecosystems. Scarier still, their numbers in Britain are growing. There were 262 queen Asian hornets recorded on Jersey by 11 April 2025, which is a year-on-year increase of 1,090%, as reported by The Observer. Asian hornets tend to wake from hibernation around April. Worse, they have a preference for warmer temperatures, which means the recent heat wave has likely helped their numbers. The reason they pose such a cause for concern is because they prey on native pollinators, like bumblebees. In fact, just one Asian hornet is capable of killing and eating up to fifty bumblebees in a day. They pose a threat to humans, too. These yellow-legged insects are slightly larger than average wasps and pack a vicious sting. In some cases they can cause symptoms like runny nose, abdominal pain and lip or tongue swelling. While no more dangerous than a wasp or bee sting, those with allergies to insects should be careful. In the case of a severe reaction, they may go into anaphylactic shock. It can be hard to determine if you've found an Asian hornet or a regular wasp in your garden – however, there are some tell-tale signs. Aside from their distinctive yellow legs, Asian hornets have a wide orange stripe on the fourth section of their abdomen, according to the British Beekeepers Association. If you think you've spotted these destructive pests in your garden, don't panic. Experts have revealed that there is a naturally growing herb that can help deter them. Clancy Bros Pest Control advise: 'Wasps and hornets hate the smell of mint. You can plant mint around your house or keep a pot of mint near the areas where these pests are usually found. This will help to keep them away from those areas.' Mint plants can be picked up for just £1.08 from Asda and planted directly into the soil. They are best grown in their own pots, in fertile well-drained soil and with access to partial sunlight. If you don't have the time or energy to grow mint, Clancy Bros Pest Control suggest using peppermint oil instead. The added benefit of this alternative is that it keeps in your cupboard for a long time. They add: 'You can also use peppermint oil as it has the same effect. Just take a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place it near their nest.' If you spot an Asian hornet buzzing around, Brits have been urged to note it down in the Asian Hornet Watch app. Alternatively, you can also email a picture and location to alertnonnative@
