There is a new threat potentially on its way to the UK – the Asian Hornet (or vespa velutina). This non-indigenous species is being found more and more throughout France and could easily end up here via a tourist car/caravan, delivery vehicle or even, possibly, by flying over the channel.
These creatures are on average around 3cm long and are distinguishable as they are mostly black/brown with one thin yellow band on their middle and bright yellow legs (they are often nick-named the yellow legged hornet). They also have a distinct orange face.
As with our own bees, wasps and hornets they do not pose an immediate danger to most people – but their stings are very painful and can be life-threatening to those with an allergy to hornet venom.
They do however pose a huge threat to our native creatures – specifically honeybees. As we are being made aware honeybees are in decline and an attack from this additional hornet species on our shores could be devastating.
To put it in context, an average Asian Hornet colony grows to around 6000 individuals and each of these can devour around 50 honeybees per day! That’s a lot of dead bees!
So, be aware of this potential newcomer but don’t attempt to deal with them personally, give us a call to help identify and to deal with them – or any other nuisance pest – in the proper manner.