Normally, young queen Asian hornets emerge at the end of October. This year, the departure is delayed until mid-November. The first males have now been observed outside nests, waiting for queens. This means targeted nest eradication and detection remain crucial in the coming two weeks to prevent new queens from swarming and overwintering.
For honeybees, this is the most challenging moment of the season. Hornets 'wicken' (hover motionlessly) en masse in front of beehive entrances to pick off returning and departing bees one by one. This constant pressure causes significant stress and losses in bee colonies.
To protect hives, beekeepers can take action. The Honeybee Valley website provides current, practical information on protection methods, including electric traps and selective traps. Beekeepers are advised to review the pros and cons to ensure beneficial native insects are not unnecessarily harmed.
