Beekeeper’s Notes Extra: Asian Hornet Sighting In Guildford

Published on: 27 Sep, 2018
Updated on: 9 Oct, 2018

by Hugh Coakley

As reported last year (Beekeeper’s Notes April ’17; Foreign Invaders from Europe), the fear of an invasion of the Asian hornet is one step closer with a sighting now in Slyfield, Guildford.

Beekeeper Mark Seabrook, who works in premises on the Slyfield Industrial Estate, was more than surprised to see a dead hornet on the floor and, on closer inspection, for it to be an Asian hornet.

Asian Hornet found in Slyfield.

Mark said: “It was not something that I expected to ever actually see in Guildford. I keep bees so I do look out for such things but to see it on my workshop floor was a shock.

“It is difficult to know where it came from, whether it is from a local nest or came in on a transporter from around the country or even in a parts container from abroad.”

Mark has reported the finding to the DEFRA Non Native Species secretariat and to the Guildford Beekeeper’s Association.

Marilynne Bainbridge, who chairs the Guildford branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association, said: “It is very worrying for bees and beekeepers. There have been quite a few sightings now with the closest being in the neighbouring county of Hampshire where four nests were destroyed very recently.

“Beekeepers and the public need to be on the alert for this destructive invader and to report it to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk immediately.”

The Pest Control News reported last year that there had been a confirmed sighting in North Devon.

Asian hornet poster.

While it is smaller than our native European hornet, it can make very large nests and it also stings, so the public should be very cautious and not disturb the nests but report it straight away.