A nest of invasive Asian hornets has been discovered and removed in Oldham, Greater Manchester, following a collaborative effort between local beekeepers and government bee inspectors. The discovery comes after three weeks of concern following initial sightings of the non-native insects, which pose a significant threat to honey bees and local biodiversity.
Beekeepers first became aware of the potential presence of Asian hornets when two credible sightings were reported in the area within a short period. Cath Charnock, a local beekeeper, expressed surprise at the early arrival of the species in their region. "We weren't expecting to see any this soon in our area," she stated.
To track the insects, beekeepers employed food traps to lure the hornets. By monitoring the direction and timing of their flights from these traps across different locations, the team was able to map out the likely area where the nest was situated. Les Latham, another beekeeper involved in the search, described the process of gathering data to pinpoint the nest's location.
Government bee inspectors joined the effort, utilizing advanced techniques such as GPS radio trackers and AI-assisted cameras to refine the search. Multiple search teams eventually converged on the same area, and inspectors used binoculars to confirm the nest's location high in a tree. The operation to remove the nest involved bee inspectors in protective gear working from an elevated platform.
Asian hornets are known predators of honey bees, with a single hornet capable of killing up to 50 bees per day, which can lead to the devastation of entire colonies. A single nest can consume approximately 15 kilograms (two stone) of insects over a season, impacting not only honey bees but also other beneficial insects like hoverflies, moths, and spiders.
Authorities are urging the public to report any suspected sightings of Asian hornets using the dedicated Asian Hornet Watch app. The public is encouraged to "see it, snap it and app it" if they encounter the insects. While Asian hornets are not considered more dangerous to humans than native hornets, prompt reporting is crucial for managing their spread. If stung, the advice is to wash the area with soap and cold water and apply ice to mitigate the venom's effect.