UK Households Urged to Maintain Distance as Predatory Hornets Spread
Households across the United Kingdom have been issued with an urgent safety advisory to "keep five metres away" from dangerous predators that are sweeping through England. The warning comes as killer Asian hornets, notorious predators originating from East Asia, are confirmed to be spreading rapidly throughout Britain.
Record Nest Destruction and Public Reports
Official data reveals the scale of the growing threat. Authorities were forced to destroy 161 nests nationwide during 2025 – representing the highest annual figure on record. Furthermore, The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs received 544 credible reports concerning these invasive insects during the same period, indicating widespread public concern and increasing sightings.
Official Warnings from Authorities
Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister of Wales, issued a direct warning to UK residents regarding the escalating situation. "The National Bee Unit has years of experience tracking and locating yellow-legged hornets," he stated. "Their expertise will be invaluable in helping us take action against the insect in Wales."
He extended gratitude to vigilant beekeepers and members of the public who continue to report suspected sightings, while emphasising the critical need for public awareness. "We need everyone to become familiar with what yellow-legged hornets look like," he urged. "As the weather warms up in the spring and especially on into the summer, please continue to be vigilant."
Specific Risks and Safety Guidance
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has echoed these serious warnings, highlighting that Asian hornets present "a real threat to gundogs and shooters". The organisation provided crucial habitat information, noting these predators are often found:
- Hidden within undergrowth
- Concealed in brambles and hedges
- Positioned high in trees
BASC emphasised that the nests are exceptionally well camouflaged and difficult to spot until it's potentially too late, making constant vigilance essential.
Critical Safety Protocol if You Encounter a Nest
If you accidentally stumble across an Asian hornet nest, authorities recommend following this strict safety protocol:
- Immediately maintain a distance of at least five metres from the nest location
- Secure your dog on a lead to prevent accidental disturbance
- Report the precise location to the National Bee Unit (NBU)
- Under no circumstances should you attempt to shoot at the nest
Targeting the Breeding Cycle
Authorities are particularly focused on intercepting travelling queens, which they identify as the top priority for eradication efforts. These reproductive individuals will re-emerge to initiate the breeding and nest-building cycle, making the current period the prime time for public vigilance. Setting monitoring traps is also recommended during this critical phase to help control the population spread.
How to Report Sightings
If you spot Asian hornets in your local area, you can report sightings directly via the dedicated Asian Hornet Watch app. This official reporting tool is available for download on both Apple iOS and Android devices, providing a streamlined method for the public to contribute to national monitoring efforts and help authorities track the invasion.
