One of the largest Asian Hornet nests ever found in the British Isles, this scary nest was discovered growing in an abandoned house in Jersey.
The massive nest, which is the largest to be found on Jersey’s “frontline” this year at approximately 15 inches (40 cm), has prompted a new public warning.
On August 14, it was demolished. It was dangling from the ceiling of an abandoned house in St. Brelades, Channel Island.
According to authorities, the number of invasive species has been increasing, and 2023 is predicted to be the worst year ever for Asian hornet sightings in Britain.
Compared to 100 at this same point in 2022, a total of 171 have been found thus far in 2023.
This year, the massive nest in Jersey has been found to be the largest on the “UK’s frontline,” measuring approximately 15 inches (40 cm).
The invasive species’ population has been increasing, according to the authorities, and this year is expected to see a record number of nests being discovered.
Fears have been growing for many years that the killer bug will use Jersey as a launching pad to dig trenches in mainland Britain.
Both Jersey and Guernsey are seen as the front line in the fight against the deadly insects.
Regarding the most recent discovery, the Government of Jersey’s Asian hornet coordinator, Alastair Christie, stated: “It’s the biggest we’ve dealt with so far this year.”
It was in a deserted house, well shielded from the cold, wind, and rain. A little unusual.
There have been calls for a “Dad’s Army” to help block the spread of the species due to rising fears for many years that the killer beetle may use Jersey as a launchpad to dig trenches in mainland Britain.
Struggling to prevent them from destroying the local bee population has been a continuing battle in the ‘frontline’ of the Channel Islands for a long time.
However, it is now suspected that they may be carving out a new route from the continent, with multiple confirmed sightings on the Kent shoreline in recent times.
Mr. Christie asked the public to exercise additional caution, stating that the most recent nest discovered may contain up to 1,500 hornets.
“Anyone cutting back hedges or banks needs to be aware of the risk of disturbing wasp and Asian hornet nests,” he continued, referring to the impending branchage.
In addition, Mr. Christie warned people not to disturb hornet nests since they may be “very aggressive”; last year, one person was bitten twelve times for upsetting a colony while trimming his hedge.
“Destroying the nests is logistically challenging,” he continued.
They live in places beneath roofs, atop trees, on cliff walls, and among brambles. Since the nests are in such a variety of places, efficiency and safety must come first when removing them.
After boarding a freight ship and landing in the south of France in 2004, the species started to spread throughout Europe.
In late 2016, they were discovered in the British Isles on Jersey, a Channel Island.
But last year, the front lines moved to Southern England after years of consolidation on Jersey and Guernsey.
A ‘people’s army’ was subsequently called for in order to repel killer hornet attacks on mainland Britain.
In addition to being a hazard to native animals and the ecosystem, hornets can kill an allergic person with just one sting.
As summer draws near, there should be an increase in the quantity of queens discovered on the Channel Islands.
Guernsey and Jersey are seen as leading the charge in the battle against the lethal insects.
Strong easterly winds are thought to have the potential to ‘blow in’ additional Asian hornets from continental Europe, which would mean another summer-long fight to limit the insects’ spread and potentially wipe out the UK’s native bee population.
However, researchers say there is hope because the fact that the insects are being discovered so late in the spring suggests that they are probably not local winter visitors, but rather travelers from France.
After boarding a freight ship and landing in the south of France in 2004, the species started to spread throughout Europe.
In late 2016, they were first observed in the British Isles on Jersey, a Channel Island.
But last year, the front lines moved to southern England after years of consolidation on Jersey and Guernsey.
More sightings have occurred recently in Devon; also, for the first time in nearly four years, one was recorded in Folkestone, Kent; additionally, one was sighted hundreds of miles away in Northumberland.
Following confirmation that an Asian hornet was seen in the Folkestone area, the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA) is advising the public to exercise caution.
