Devon could be vulnerable to the spread of Asian hornets this year, with the vast majority of reported sightings and nests in the south of the country, especially coastal counties.
As you may already be aware, Asian hornets pose a significant risk to our native wildlife due to the way in which they prey on honey bees and other pollinators, which could in turn have a devastating impact on our wider ecosystem. Furthermore, these insects become aggressive when they perceive a threat to their nest, which can be built low to the ground in hedgerows, or in the eaves of buildings – meaning they can easily be disturbed by passers-by. This is therefore not only an issue of environmental concern, but one of public health too – especially during the summer season when residents and visitors to the county will be enjoying outdoor spaces.
The British Beekeepers’ Association are working hard to make sure as many people as possible are made aware of the potential presence of Asian hornets this summer, how to identify them and how to report them, to aid Defra’s efforts to eradicate the species before it becomes established.
There is a very proactive group of beekeepers in Devon who are keen to get the word out about the Asian hornet threat and who have offered to give talks and presentations in their own time – please do let the British Beekeepers Association know if you’d be interested in this.
In the meantime, there is some information below, including posters and ID sheets, which councils could share in their communities to help raise awareness. This includes some some safety information for outdoor workers and contractors operating in spaces where Asian hornets may be active.
Non-native species alert poster
British Beekeepers Association Safety Guidance for outdoor workers
