South Holland beekeeper backs warning over threat of Asian Hornets
A South Holland beekeeper has agreed with a warning about ‘getting the general public to be aware’ of the threat of Asian Hornets.
Barry Perkins, owner of Barry’s Bees, keeps his bees at Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas and is urging people to report Asian Hornets if they see them.
An urgent warning issued by the Lincolnshire Beekeepers Association (LBKA) states that Asian Hornets pose the greatest threat to native British honey bees in more than a hundred years.
Mr Perkins said: “There is a difference in abdomen in the Asian Hornet and it is important in getting the general public aware – to spot it and report it.
“Never try to destroy the nest if you think it is an Asian Hornet, report it to the National Bee Unit.
“There have been several sightings this year – more than in the past.”
Statistics from the LBKA states that some 30 nests have been discovered so far this summer and predictions are now that it is inevitable they will reach Lincolnshire.
The association (LBKA) is calling upon residents in our area to be vigilant and look out for nests this Asian Hornet Awareness Week - which began on Monday.
With about 30 nests discovered so far this summer, two only 100 miles from Lincolnshire, LBKA predicts that it is now inevitable these invasive predators will reach Lincolnshire.
Stewart Maher, LBKA Asian Hornet coordinator, said: “The Asian Hornet is an ecological disaster.
“The past few years have been a ticking time bomb for bees, with climate change, intensive farming and the decrease in flora and fauna all adding up - but it is beyond devastating that we are now seeing the numbers of Asian Hornet nests increase dramatically in Britain.
“This is an invasive species; our bees do not have any defences against them - but we can protect them.
“We can be their defence.”
Asian Hornets are an incredibly destructive invasive species and specialise in preying on honeybee hives.
The hornets hawk the front of target beehives, killing honeybees and feeding them to their young.
One Asian Hornet alone can kill 60-90 honeybees per day, and dozens of them will hawk a hive simultaneously decimating the bees, meaning it can be destroyed or irreparably weakened to the extent it cannot survive.
There are over half a million nests annually in France alone.
In Belgium, which has a similar climate to Britain, in 2020 the number of nests was at a similar level to what has been discovered in the UK this year and by 2022 there were over 3,000 - showing what could happen in the UK if action is not taken immediately.
Stewart added: “This is a desperately perilous situation for honeybees and other insect life in Lincolnshire.
“The situation is urgent.
“That’s why I’m calling on everyone in the county to be vigilant, be aware of and report Asian Hornet sightings.
“We are now extremely concerned that they will spread throughout the UK and Lincolnshire, and if they do it’s vital to eliminate them before they can establish themselves further."
Mr Perkins said: “As beekeepers we look after the health of our bees, but now with the increase in the Asian hornet we do need from everyone. Please take the time to read this press release from the Lincolnshire beekeeping association, take a look at the links, download the app. most of all report any sightings and let's all work together to stop them before we end up like France .”
You can identify an Asian Hornet by its very distinct markings - they’re a similar size to a European Hornet, which is two or three times the size of a common wasp, and are black with distinct yellow lower leg.
Asian Hornets are also a threat to people also if their nest is disturbed.
If you think you see an Asian Hornet or nest, you can do one, or all, of the following:
- take a photo on your phone for identification and report it by email on the Asian Hornet Watch App
- Report it on line to the National Bee Unit, or call 03003030094.
- Each area’s Beekeepers Association has an Asian Hornet Coordinator who can advise or help with identification, which you can find by searching Asian Hornet Action Team Map on Google.
- You can download the Asian Hornet Watch app, on iOS and Android.
What do you think? Post your comments below or email jenny.beake@iliffepublishing.co.uk