Forest Parish

Summary of Asian hornet control - 2023

'Spring Queening' - annual trapping programme (2019-2023)

During the spring, 262 baited traps were delivered to volunteers across all the islands parishes. Regularly spaced at 500 metres apart, the aim of trapping is to provide good coverage to capture any queen Asian hornets that have will arrived from France and are foraging for nectar/sugar. Throughout April to June, a total of 33 queen Asian hornets were captured in Guernsey, 15 of these were taken in traps and 18 found by the public in properties. This accounted for 63% of all the Asian hornet queens found/trapped/destroyed in nests throughout the year.

After the spring trapping period ended, attentions switched to finding the nests of any queen hornets that avoided being caught early on. The first of these were all primary nests found in June and early July Asian hornet primary nests - made by the queen hornet in the spring.

Asian hornet secondary nests

A total of 14 large nests were located and destroyed across 7 parishes: Vale (4), St Sampsons (1), St Peter Port (2), St Martins (2), Castel (1), St Andrews (3) and Torteval (1). Although there were more queens trapped and nests found on the east of the island, the widespread locations highlight that no area is safe from the threat of Asian hornets.

Most of the nests were located and removed from trees (9); the remainder were in brambles, cliffs, quarries, rabbit hole and eaves.

Analysis of nests this autumn has confirmed the presence of new queens and male drones in some nests by mid-October. To date no queens have been identified from lone samples, away from the nest. However, there is always the risk that a number of queens will have gone into hibernation. Spring queen trapping in 2024 should reduce the chances of these starting nests next year. Trap density may well be increased in areas which had late nests.

Asian hornet secondary nests - made by the worker hornets in the summer/autumn.

Hornet control is implemented across the Bailiwick. All islands experienced greater numbers of hornets this year - Sark (8 nests), Herm (1 nest), Alderney (27 nests), Jersey (265 nests).

How the public can assist the Asian hornet team in this vital work

The AHT are skilled at tracking, locating, and destroying nests, but can only find them if the public take the time and effort to report possible sightings. The best evidence includes a photograph or a sample of the suspect insect.

" Report sightings to the AHT by calling 07839 197082 or emailing asianhornet@gov.gg

" For further information on Asian hornets, please visit gov.gg/asianhornet

" Please do not attempt to exterminate a nest yourself. The States provide all the resources for us to safely deal with any Asian hornet's nests in Guernsey, Herm and Sark.