Residents of Guernsey are being asked to actively assist in the fight against the invasive Asian hornet, with authorities promoting a 'Track, Don't Trample' approach. The initiative aims to protect the island's delicate biodiversity and public health by encouraging people to report sightings rather than attempting to deal with the hornets themselves.
The Asian hornet, a non-native species, first arrived in Europe in 2004, reportedly making its way to southern France via a consignment of pottery from Asia. It was first detected in Guernsey in 2017 and has since established a presence, posing a significant threat to local ecosystems. The States of Guernsey highlights that the hornets' diet consists of 39% honeybees on average, underscoring the severe risk to the island's vital pollinator populations.
This year, efforts to control the population have seen considerable success, with 205 Asian hornet queens already captured and nine primary nests destroyed across Guernsey and the smaller island of Herm. Annelotte Baas-Jehan, Invasive Non-Native Species Policy & Coordination Officer, emphasised the crucial role of volunteers in these efforts. "Their work is incredibly important," she stated, explaining that reported information allows teams to "track hornets back to their nests and ensure that those nests are being treated and removed safely and efficiently."
The 'Track, Don't Trample' strategy urges islanders to take a photograph of any sighted hornet and observe its direction of travel before submitting the information. This data is vital for locating and neutralising nests. Authorities have strongly advised against individuals attempting to remove nests themselves, warning that these can grow rapidly during the months of August and September, potentially containing up to 2,000 hornets. Nests can be found in various locations, including tall trees, hedges, brambles, and even buildings.
As the summer progresses, the risk of encountering nests increases. The States of Guernsey has issued a specific warning for those undertaking gardening work, advising them to "check carefully for signs of activity before you cut back hedges or vegetation." This proactive approach is essential to keep hornet numbers low and mitigate the impact on Guernsey's environment.