Dear Members,
April is often the month we see our hives building up strongly after March has got them off to a good start, but this March’s wet and cool temperatures have been a bit of a set-back so it has not been warm enough to do a first inspection.
Dear Members,
March often sees the weather warming up and we eagerly anticipate taking a quick look inside the hive to see how the bees are doing, but…don’t do so until the weather is above 15 deg C.
Dear Members,
February is the risky time for bees. We all hope that we have left enough stores in our hives for the bees to feed on during the winter months, but with the very erratic weather patterns we now seem to be encountering, if the queen has continued to lay, and both brood and bees need feeding, sometimes those Autumn resources can start to be depleted by February and it is still at least two months before we can expect there to be forage outside the hive.
Dear Members,
Normally, once we have ensured our bees are healthy and have plenty of stores for the winter months, we can rest on our laurels and hopefully sell our honey.
This year, with protracted warm weather well into November, it is important to check hives regularly by weighing or hefting over the next few weeks and months to make sure bees have sufficient food to take them through to March/April, when Spring flowers again begin to provide forage.
Dear Members,
When I received the email from Jane Nimmo advertising Steve Martin’s talk on varroa, my first thought was “Oh no, not more about varroa, I know everything I need to know about this horrid little pest”.
22/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 54 Asian hornet nests found in 44 locations.
Kent
This week following active operations in Dover and Maidstone the NBU were able to locate a nest in both locations. The nest in Dover has been destroyed while the nest in Maidstone is due to be destroyed next week.
North Yorkshire
Active operations led to the finding of a nest in Yarm today, it should be destroyed and removed next week.
20/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 51 Asian hornet nests found in 43 locations.
Essex
Over the weekend the NBU were able to locate a nest in Southend-on-Sea which is due to be destroyed this week.
Kent
This week the NBU responded to a credible sighting of Asian hornet in Tenterden and following active operations the NBU were successful in locating a nest. A nest was also located in the St Margaret’s Bay area. Both nests are due to be destroyed later this week.
Active operations have been initiated at another site near Dover. The NBU are also monitoring three locations in Kent.
North Yorkshire
A site in Yarm is being monitored in response to a credible report of Asian hornets.
East Sussex
The NBU is also monitoring a site in Eastbourne in response to a credible report of Asian hornets.
15/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 48 Asian hornet nests found in 40 locations.
Essex
The NBU are currently conducting active operations in Southend-on-Sea.
Kent
Following active operations at new sites in Kent, a nest was found in Folkestone and a nest was found in Maidstone.
London
On the 13th of September the NBU were successful in locating a nest in Hackney which has been destroyed and removed.
Surrey
The NBU have found two nests at a location in Oxted, Surrey. Both nests are due to be destroyed today.
Yorkshire
This week the NBU were able to locate a nest in Hull. This is due to be destroyed early next week.
Image of nest locations found in South East England in 2023 as of 15th September 2023
11/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 43 Asian hornet nests found in 36 locations.
East Sussex
Following active operations in Hastings over the weekend, the NBU were able to locate a nest which is due to be destroyed shortly.
Kent
The NBU are conducting further active operations in the Folkestone area.
Hampshire
A site in the New Forest is being monitored in response to a credible report of Asian hornet.
Hull
The NBU is also monitoring a coastal site near Hull in response to a credible report of Asian hornet.
Image of nest locations found in 2023 as of 11th September 2023
08/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 42 Asian hornet nests found in 35 locations.
Kent
Since our last update the NBU have located a nest at a new location in Whitstable. A nest was also found in Folkestone. As a nest had previously been discovered at this location the number of locations has not increased.
Following credible reports of Asian hornet, the NBU is monitoring a site in Dover.
Surrey
The NBU have responded to credible reports of Asian hornets in Oxted this week. Today they located a nest which is due to be destroyed.
Hampshire
Following active operations in Southampton the NBU were able to locate two nests which have both been destroyed and removed.
East Sussex
Active operations are due to be initiated at a site near Hastings.
London
The NBU are monitoring a site in Hackney in response to a credible report of Asian hornet.
06/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 37 Asian hornet nests found in 30 locations.
Kent
Since our last update the NBU have located a nest in the West Downs and two nests at separate sites in Dover. An additional nest was found in Rochester and another in Folkestone, nests had previously been located at both of these sites, so they have not been listed as new locations.
Following credible reports of Asian hornets, the NBU is monitoring sites in Maidstone and Whitstable.
Hampshire
The NBU has also initiated active operations at a site in Southampton.
01/09/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 32 Asian hornet nests found in 27 locations.
Kent
On the 30th of August the NBU located a nest in central Folkestone which has been destroyed.
Following ongoing active operations in a complex location near Folkestone the NBU located 3 nests at the site this week.
The NBU has also initiated active operations at a site in the West Downs and two additional sites in Dover.
29/08/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 28 Asian hornet nests found in 25 locations.
Kent
On the 26th of August the NBU located a nest in Folkestone and a nest near Canterbury. Destruction and removal of both nests is planned to take place later this week.
The NBU has also initiated active operations at a site in Folkestone, a site in Dover and a site near Ashford.
Devon
A new location in Plymouth is also being monitored as a result of a credible report of Asian hornet.
24/08/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 26 Asian hornet nests found in 23 locations.
On the 23rd of August the NBU located 2 nests at a third location in Maidstone, Kent, which will later be destroyed and removed.
The NBU has initiated active operations at a site near Canterbury, Kent.
22/08/2023
So far in 2023 there have been 24 Asian hornet nests found in 22 locations.
London
The NBU responded to a credible sighting of Asian hornet in Thamesmead on the 20th of August. A nest was located yesterday. It will be destroyed and removed later in the week.
Kent
Over the weekend the NBU located a nest in Dover, a nest in Rochester, a nest in St Margaret’s Bay and a further nest in Maidstone.
Active operations have also been initiated at a third location in Maidstone.
18/08/2023 - Update
So far in 2023 there have been 19 Asian hornet nests found in 17 locations.
Kent
On the 17th of August a nest was located in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
The NBU is also conducting active operations in Rochester. In addition, active operations have been initiated at another location in Maidstone.
The NBU is monitoring a site in the Dover area in response to a credible sighting of Asian hornet.
15/08/2023 - Update
So far in 2023 there have been 18 Asian hornet nests found in 16 locations.
Kent
A further three nests have been located at separate locations in Folkestone over the weekend.
The NBU is also conducting active operations at single locations in Folkestone and Deal.
East Sussex
On the 14th of August the NBU located a nest in Newhaven
11/08/2023 - Update
In 2023 there have been 14 Asian hornet nests found in 12 locations.
Kent
Folkestone
The primary and secondary nests found at a single location in Folkestone have now been destroyed.
The NBU is conducting active operations at four other locations in Folkestone.
East Sussex
The NBU is monitoring a location in East Sussex following a credible sighting of Asian hornet.
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 theNational 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.
This invasive species week on 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.
Please report sightings of Vespa velutina using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app for iPhone and Android, or the online reporting form.
https://risc.brc.ac.uk/alert.php?species=asian_hornet
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.
Please report suspect sightings using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app for iPhone and Android. For those without smart phones you can report sightings using an online report form. sighting information on
