Nest Sweeper: Asian Hornet Action

Yellow legged Asian hornets are invading the UK, they pose formidable threat to our bee populations and biodiversity. The presence of Asian Hornets in the UK needs to be taken seriously due to their severe threat to our ecological security as well as their impact on food sources . Experience from Europe show us that the management costs to this country could exceed £7million pounds a year.

Not to be mistaken with our native European hornet , Asian hornets enter the UK via transport and it only takes one queen to get established before potentially releasing hundreds of new queens at the end of each summer. Time is of the essence… early detection and management is essential to prevent further damage. With numbers rising in the UK year-on-year so does the threat to our already struggling economic, food, and ecological security.

We've spent the last few years studying AH behaviour, including multiple research trips to Jersey, a hot-spot for Asian Hornet activity, with the invaluable support of Alastair Christie BSc (Senior Scientific Officer for invasive species for the Government of Jersey). Having recognised the severity of the threat, our Co-Founder Matthew has been tirelessly pioneering innovative solutions aimed at addressing the imminent threat of this insect spreading throughout the UK mainland.

Pollenize has developed Nest Sweeper, a device that will help monitor the spread of invasive Asian Hornets. Unlike conventional bait stations, Nest Sweeper employs a vaporised dispersal method, allowing the hornet attractant to be carried on the wind. This innovative approach significantly increases the potential visitation of AH to the station, making it a game-changer for early detection and monitoring.