Overview

• Thirty sightings of Asian hornets have been lab-confirmed and 39 additional reports deemed credible so far this year, suggesting the species is now established in multiple UK counties.
• Rapid response teams have eradicated nine hornet nests in 2025 as part of containment efforts following 24 nest removals in 2024.
• Experts recommend a six-step homeowner strategy that includes removing food attractants, sealing entry points, trimming vegetation and installing targeted hornet traps.
• Asian hornets pose a severe threat to honeybee populations by killing up to 50 bees a day, raising concerns for native pollinators and garden biodiversity.
• Members of the public are urged to log all encounters through the Asian Hornet Watch app to support the National Bee Unit’s monitoring and rapid response operations.