Asiatic hornets

[exile]

Bu@@er

I have just seen an Asian Hornet in the garden near our fig tree. The first time I have seen one but I am confident that it was one:
Slightly larger than a big wasp, black body with a single yellow band and yellow legs. I had hoped that at our altitude we might escape but it seems not. A quick survey of our trees did not reveal the presence of a nest but I gather they can be hard to spot. The mayor has been informed since we have several people in the village that keep bees.

Bu@@er
Bu@@er
Bu@@er

[Blaze]

That's bad news, Exile
We've definitely got them here and I've occasionally seen one in the garden. However, fortunately no nests in the immediate vicinity.
But there are a lot of beekeepers along the coast here and I know they're taking all precautions possible with various types of trap.

[RobertArthur]

The european frélon(max 3.5 cm) and the frélon asiatique (max 3 cm). Only a small difference in size.

[Hotrodder]

We've got ordinary European ones now, and have had them for the third year running. They appear to have a nest between the chimney flue liner and the stonework. Makes opening the fire in the morning to reset the fire a big risky. So with hornets, moles, and just recently the boar have returned making the lawn even more hazardous.
Thinking in terms of love it or list it these days.

[Sparkle]

Around 3 months ago we bought two hornet traps from the local DIY. We had to mix up a paste that came with the traps and apparently has a smell that attracts them. We then attached them to the trees. Within an hour the traps were buzzing with these things. Last week OH took the traps down to clean them out (making sure that the contents were completely dead!). We were amazed at how many had been caught - well worth the expense and we got a discount as we have a loyalty card.

https://www.multitanks.com/en/fighting- ... -pJnG3HmkY

[Lori]

Within an hour the traps were buzzing with these things. Last week OH took the traps down to clean them out (making sure that the contents were completely dead!). We were amazed at how many had been

We've been using them for 2 years now. I cannot tell you how many hornets we have trapped. Also horse flies. We no longer buy the liquid/paste/powder mixes and use some cheap jam and a bit of sugar added to water. Works like a charm and is much cheaper than the other stuff.

[Hotrodder]

Any idea if these will work for European hornets? I think that's what we have, not the Asian ones. As long as it doesn't trap bees, I'm for it. Hornets and wasps have a deadly sting and my mrs. reacts very badly to any insect bite.

[Lori]

We catch dozens of European hornets (and wasps), sometimes on a daily basis. We've set out 3 traps around our back terrace (rather large terrace) and each one fills rather quickly. The traps do not attract bees. The ones we buy say they don't attract bees. This year we bought them from E. Leclerc. Last year we bought them from Rural Master. They typically stock them in early Spring each year and keep them through the Summer.

Try them, I don't think you'll be sorry.

[exile]

All well and good if you are trapping Asian Hornets but really a bad idea if you are catching wasps and European hornets.

Both of these are important pollinators and according to which source you believe may be responsible for as much pollination as honey bees. In addition both the wasps and the European Hornets feed on aphids - lots and lots of them and are an important control, so unless you have a nest in what could be a dangerous location, I advise leaving them alone. They do far more good than harm.

PS. Since the age of 10, I too have reacted very badly to wasp stings but that is no excuse for attempting to wipe them out.

[Blaze]

+1 Exile.
I wanted to say the same thing. I have some traps from our old house where we had quite a problem with European hornets, as we were surrounded by forest. The nests were on someone else's land but they enjoyed coming to see us. Not ideal as we were also running a gite .....

I haven't used them here because of the reasons Exile gives above. I'm reluctant to trap wasps, European hornets and other insects when they're not doing us any harm and they do good in the garden.