Protecting Honey Bees from Asian Hornet Predation Without Harmful Kill Traps

Asian hornet hawking honey bees

Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) are an invasive species posing a growing threat to honey bee colonies across the UK and Europe. These highly efficient hunters hover outside hive entrances, capturing returning foragers and decimating colonies if left unchecked. While the instinctive response may be to use homemade “kill traps”,like beer traps or sugary bottles, these often cause more harm than good.

If you keep bees or simply care about pollinators, here’s what you can do to protect honey bees from Asian hornet predation responsibly and effectively.

The Problem with Kill Traps

Many homemade traps, such as beer or sugary bottle traps, catch anything attracted to sweet smells. While they may capture a few hornets, they also kill thousands of non-target insects — including honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps.

• Non-selective — Traditional traps kill indiscriminately.

• Ineffective control — A single nest can produce thousands of hornets, so random trapping rarely impacts overall populations.

• Harmful to ecosystems — Pollinators are already under pressure from habitat loss and pesticides; killing them unintentionally makes matters worse.

Key point: Homemade kill traps are not a sustainable solution and, in some regions, are actively discouraged or even banned.

Smarter Solutions for Protecting Honey Bees

1. Monitor, Don’t Mass Trap

The most effective way to reduce the impact of Asian hornets is early detection. Using selective monitoring traps in spring and autumn allows beekeepers to identify hornet activity without harming other insects.

One highly effective solution is the Trap-X® Asian hornet monitoring system:

• Bycatch-friendly design — Trap-X® uses carefully sized escape holes to let beneficial insects, like bees and hoverflies,exit safely.

• Highly targeted — When paired with a Bait Pod™ bycatch friendly liquid attractant container, it selectively lures Asian hornets without overwhelming local ecosystems.

• Proven in field trials — Trap-X® has demonstrated excellent results in monitoring hornet activity while remaining environmentally responsible.

Tip: Deploy Trap-X® traps near apiaries but away from hive entrances to avoid attracting hornets directly to your bees. Check and maintain traps regularly to ensure release any bycatch.

2. Strengthen Hive Defences

Beekeepers can make it harder for hornets to predate bees by reducing hive vulnerability:

• Hornet guards — Mesh screens fitted over hive entrances allow bees to pass through but make it harder for hornets to grab them mid-air.

• Reduced entrances — Narrowing the hive opening during peak hornet activity helps bees defend themselves more effectively.

• Strategic hive placement — Avoid positioning hives near hedgerows, compost heaps, or water sources where hornets often patrol.

3. Work Together: Report and Respond

Asian hornet control works best when local beekeepers, wildlife groups, and government agencies cooperate:

• Report sightings immediately to your local authority or through apps like the UK Asian Hornet Watch app for iPhone and Android.

• Encourage local beekeeping groups to share monitoring data to track hornet spread.

• Participate in coordinated nest destruction programmes led by trained specialists, ensuring nests are dealt with safely and effectively.

4. Use Natural Deterrents (With Caution)

Research is ongoing into scents and natural repellents that hornets dislike, such as strong herbal or citrus-based deterrents. While results vary, combining deterrents with good hive management can reduce predation pressure.

Conclusion

Asian hornets pose a serious threat to honey bees, but homemade kill traps are not the answer. By focusing on selective monitoring such as Trap-X®, hive defences, and community reporting, we can protect honey bees without harming other vital pollinators.

The Trap-X® selective monitoring system provides a safe, targeted, and proven method of detecting Asian hornet activity early, giving beekeepers the information they need to act before colonies come under threat.