Protecting Your Bees

The treatments basically boil down to using various monitoring stations and being alert

Essential strategies to safeguard your hives from Asian hornet attacks

Critical Period: Asian hornets are most active around beehives from August to October. Increased vigilance during this period is essential for colony survival.

Monitoring Methods

Queen Monitoring

Queen Monitoring

The best time to monitor for queens is in spring when they emerge to start building their nests. A large number of queens can be captured in monitoring stations this way.

  • Commercial monitoring stations are available from Veto Pharma
  • You can also make your own monitoring stations
  • Set up monitoring stations for the rest of the season, just as for wasps
  • Most effective during March-May period
Commercial VespaCatch Monitoring Stations →

The Electric Harp

The Electric Harp

This is a relatively new device. The goal is to electrocute the hornets when they are hawking around the hives.

  • Quite expensive, but you can make your own
  • Effective against hornets hunting near hives
  • Works by electrocuting hornets on contact
  • Requires careful installation and maintenance
DIY Electric Harp Guide (Spanish) →

Mechanical Stations

Mechanical Monitoring Stations

Apishield is a simple mechanical device that sits under the hive floor. The hornets think they are entering the hive and become trapped.

  • Sits under the hive floor
  • Hornets become trapped in the chamber
  • Can be removed and destroyed safely
  • Jabeprode Monitoring Station is another option with separate attractant tank
Apishield from Vita Europe → Jabeprode Monitoring Station (French) →
Learn More About Monitoring Stations →

Additional Protection Methods

Hive Entrance Reducers

Install entrance reducers to limit access points while allowing normal bee traffic.

  • Use 8mm mesh entrance reducers
  • Install during high-risk periods (August-October)
  • Ensure adequate ventilation
  • Monitor bee behavior for stress signs

Regular Monitoring

Frequent hive inspections help detect hornet activity early.

  • Check hive entrances daily during peak season
  • Look for hornet hovering or hunting behavior
  • Monitor bee defensive clustering
  • Document any unusual bee mortality

Early Warning Systems

Set up detection methods around apiaries to identify hornet presence.

  • Place monitoring stations 50-100m from hives
  • Use pheromone lures specific to Asian hornets
  • Install motion-activated cameras
  • Create observation posts for regular checks

Emergency Response Protocol

If Asian hornets are detected near your hives, follow this immediate action plan:

1
Immediately close hive entrances if hornets are actively hunting
2
Contact local beekeeping associations and authorities
3
Document evidence with photos and location details
4
Do not attempt to destroy hornets yourself - seek professional help
5
Monitor surrounding area for nest locations

Signs of Hornet Attack

Behavioral Indicators

  • • Bees clustering defensively at entrance
  • • Reduced foraging activity
  • • Unusual bee mortality
  • • Bees reluctant to leave hive

Physical Evidence

  • • Bee body parts near hive entrance
  • • Large insects hovering near hives
  • • Hornets on landing boards
  • • Chewed bee heads/thoraxes