I'm a pest control expert and here's how you can stop Asian Hornets
I’m a pest control expert – here’s how you can stop Asian Hornets from coming into YOUR home as experts reveal insect has become established in UK
- Robert Moon from Cher, France, told FEMAIL his expert advice on the hornet
- READ MORE: One of the largest ever Asian Hornet nest found in Jersey
As a record number of Asian Hornets have been spotted up and down the UK, an expert has revealed how you can stop the insects coming into your home.
Weeks ago, amateur apiarist Joel Soo discovered the bee killer at his Thamesmead home.
The 43-year-old was harvesting honey in his back garden when he spotted one Asian hornet.
It is the first time the invasive species has been sighted in the capital and comes a worrying rapid rise in cases in 2023.
While there have been 46 sightings of Asian hornets since 2016, half of those coming this year alone, according to figures from Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
But what happens if the invasive species get onto your property? Pest controller of 13 years, Robert Moon, told FEMAIL what you should to do if you catch a glimpse of the insect.
As a record number of Asian Hornets have been spotted up and down the UK, an expert has revealed how you can stop the insects coming into your home (stock image)
Explaining what attracts the bug, Robert explained: ‘If there is a dead sparrow, they will happily eat that.
‘If you have fruit on the ground that’s a nice bit of sugar for them.’
Asian Hornets are attracted to open sources of protein, so the advice remains to keep bins covered and to tie them properly.
You should also remove residual pet food from bowls as well as any open source of meat or protein, according to the Pelsis Group.
Equally, the invasive species are attracted to fruits and tree sap, with many reports of stinging when people have been picking plums and grapes, GOV.UK reports.
There is also one less conventional way of keeping the insect of your property, according to pest controller, Robert – and it isn’t a pesticide.
Robert recommended: ‘If you have beehives and you are worried about Asian Hornets, get chickens.
‘The chickens will just pick them out them sky and will keep your beehive clean.’
Robert, who has specialised in Asian Hornets for ten years, revealed that the insect differs from its European counterpart.
According to Robert, they do not fly at night and are unlikely to go into directly into the home like a European Hornet would.
Robert, who works for applicateur3d, said: ‘They will try to nest in attics, garden sheds because it’s an ideal place for them to build their nest because it’s nice secure open space.
‘It’s dry and protected from the elements and doesn’t have too much human walk-through.’
But where they make their home is ‘luck of the draw’ and there is no ‘perfect place’ for the invasive species, the pest controller said.
He stated: ‘They need warmth, water, a place to lay eggs and breathe. Some say they favour Sycamore trees, but I find they favour pine and oak trees.
‘You just have to bear in mind it is an invasive species, a wasp in the wrong place.’
Robert said that the creatures aren’t ‘generally aggressive’ or curious ‘picnic attackers’ like their European siblings – but that doesn’t mean you should go anywhere near them when found.
He discussed: ‘If you find an Asian Hornet, walk slowly away close the door and report it. Then a professional should be sent out to deal with it.’
The invasive species does have a tendency to be aggressive around their nest and unfortunately their venomous sting can be serious.
There have been deaths documented in both Europe and Asia as a result of their sting, according to GOV.UK.
If an Asian Hornet nest establishes itself on your property, you should report it to the Great British Non Native Species Secretariat.
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