Pest control advice

The problem

Whilst the Asian hornet is not yet established in the UK, but there have been increased sightings in recent years.

As a non-native invasive species, their diet consists of important insects and pollinators. They are also known to be particularly threatening to our native European honeybees who are unable to defend themselves against these hornets. In a rural environment over a third of the Asian hornet's diet can consist of honeybees, and in urban areas this can increase to two thirds – with a colony of Asian hornets able to predate on up to 40% of a single honeybee hive.

By reporting sightings of these species as quickly as possible you could be helping to prevent the establishment of this new invasive non-native species.

Identification

You can identify an Asian hornet from a European hornet from its dark abdomen.

Think you’ve seen an Asian Hornet? Report it!

Asian hornets also have yellow tipped legs and are often slightly smaller than our native European hornets.  An Asian hornet is often 25 mm to 30 mm in length (approximately 1 inch), compared to our native hornet that is 30 mm to 35 mm in length. If you would like an easy visualisation of this size, a 2p coin is 26 mm in diameter.

Further information on reporting and identifying Asian Hornets. 

Reporting

If you think you have seen an Asian Hornet, or think you have found a trapped Asian hornet (do not release it), you should report it using the ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app (available on android or iOS phones).”

Download Asian Hornet Watch for iPhones/iOS

Download Asian Hornet Watch for Android

If you do not have access to this app, you can also submit a report online or email: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk

Reporting Asian Hornets on Gravesham Council Land

If you think you have seen an Asian Hornet within one of Gravesham Councils Parks or open spaces then as well as reporting the information as above, you can in addition also notify Gravesham Council’s Horticultural Services so they can consider suitable pest control works, if necessary, should a nest be present on land they maintain.  You can do this via Customer Services either online at https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/contact-us or via calling Customer Services on 01474 337000.

If you believe you have seen an Asian Hornet within the property or garden of a Gravesham Council Home then you can report this to your Housing Officer direct or via Customer Services.