08/08/2023 – Update
Kent
Folkestone
A further two nests (primary and secondary) have been located at a single location in Folkestone over the weekend. Destruction is due to take place today.
In addition, the NBU is monitoring the site at Hawkinge and carrying out active surveillance at two other sites in Folkestone.
Whitstable
A nest was located on 5th of August. It has been destroyed and removed.
Maidstone
A nest was located on 5th of August and has been destroyed.
Deal
On 7th of August the NBU located a nest. Destruction is due to take place later this week.
Active operations continue at a separate location in Deal, while another site is being monitored.
Devon
The secondary nest located in Plymouth was destroyed and removed on 4th of August.
Dorset
The NBU located another nest in Portland on 4th of August. Both nests were destroyed on 5th of August. Surveillance is on-going.
04/08/2023 – Update
Kent
On 3rd of August the National Bee Unit (NBU) destroyed a primary Asian hornet nest in Folkestone. Surveillance will continue to carry out surveillance in the area to determine if a secondary nest is present.
The NBU is carrying out active operations at Hawkinge, another site in Folkestone and single locations in Whitstable, Maidstone, Dover and Deal.
There have also been further credible sightings at separate locations in Folkestone, Dover and Deal which the NBU are monitoring.
Devon
In addition to the secondary nest due to be destroyed in Plymouth, the NBU is monitoring a second site in response to an unconfirmed suspected Asian hornet nest destroyed by a home owner.
Dorset
The NBU has located a nest in Portland this morning. They are also conducting surveillance in a second location on the island.
02/08/2023 – Update
On 28th July the National Bee Unit (NBU) removed a secondary Asian hornet nest in Plymouth. The inspectors located the primary nest on 1st August and destruction will take place later in the week.
The NBU located a primary Asian hornet nest in Hawkinge on 30th of July which was destroyed and removed.
After responding to a credible sighting in Folkestone, Kent the NBU located a nest on 1st of August. Destruction is planned to occur in the following days.
The NBU are also monitoring 5 further credible sightings of Asian hornets.
Hawkinge, Kent – 28/07/2023
National Bee Unit (NBU) are responding to a credible sighting of Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) in Hawkinge, just outside Folkestone.
27/07/2023
We have received 5 other credible sightings of individual Asian hornets which we are monitoring together with support from local Asian Hornet Teams.
Plymouth, Devon – Update – 27/07/2023
Asian hornet nest has been discovered and treated in Plymouth. Removal is expected to take place shortly
Dover, Kent – Update
A nest was found in the Dover district of Kent. This was destroyed on 24 July. NBU will continue surveillance to ensure that there are no further nests in the area.
Plymouth, Devon
A credible sighting of an Asian hornet in Plymouth was received over the weekend, 22-23rd July The NBU are investigating.
Gravesend, Kent
The National Bee Unit (NBU) responded to a credible sighting of Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) in Gravesend, Kent on the 20th of July. Shortly after NBU inspectors reached the site they located a small primary nest in a nearby residential garden. The nest was destroyed on the same day. It has been removed and sent to Fera for confirmation and analysis. The NBU will continue to carry out surveillance in the area to ensure any remaining hornets are captured.
Dover, Kent – Update
A single hornet was captured and reported on 17th July to the NBU by a local beekeeper. An NBU Inspector collected the sample which was sent to Fera who confirmed the specimen was Vespa velutina. Defra have issued a press notice to raise awareness and ask people to report sightings. Although Asian hornet nests will be smaller at this time in the year we are still asking people to be vigilant.
Dover, Kent
On Saturday 1st July the National Bee Unit received a credible Asian hornet sighting from Kent, near Dover, with accompanying photographs. The hornet was found in some sugar water which a beekeeper was using to feed bees. The NBU has collected the specimen which will be analysed by scientists Beekeepers in the area and volunteer Asian hornet teams are asked to maintain vigilance and to continue monitoring for Asian hornet.
Dover, Kent
On Thursday 22nd June a small primary nest of Asian hornets was reported to the NBU. A National Bee Unit Inspector investigated the report and collected samples which have been sent for analysis by scientists. Traps have been set for hornets returning to the nest site, and follow up activities will take place to raise awareness.
Ashford, Kent
Thursday 18th May the National Bee Unit received a credible triaged report of an Asian hornet discovered in a workshop, approximately 15 miles from Ashford in Kent. The insect was caught and will be analysed by scientists. This was a single hornet incursion and follow up activities will take place to raise risk awareness.
Canterbury, Kent
Sunday 28th May 2023 a bee farmer, whilst doing a routine apiary inspection near Canterbury, Kent, recognised an Asian hornet that had been attracted to the colonies and knocked it down. The NBU has collected the specimen which will be analysed by scientists and follow up activities will take place to raise awareness.
Ferry from Poole to Cherbourg
On Thursday 17th April the National Bee Unit received a credible Asian hornet sighting taken on the deck of a ferry from Poole to Cherbourg on 10th April 2023.
Folkestone, Kent
On Thursday 13th April the National Bee Unit received a credible Asian hornet sighting from the Folkestone area, with accompanying photographs. The hornet flew off before it could be captured. The details from the report suggest this was a single hornet incursion. Beekeepers in the area and volunteer Asian hornet teams will be asked to maintain vigilance and monitor for Asian hornet.
Northumberland
On Wednesday 5th April the National Bee Unit received a credible triaged report of an Asian hornet discovered inside a cauliflower within a weekly vegetable delivery in Northumberland, approximately 20 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne. The cauliflower was produced in France. The NBU responded to the report and a bee inspector collected the hornet later the same day for analysis. This was a single hornet incursion and follow up activities will take place to raise risk awareness with the producer/distributor/seller.