The figures confirm the trend: about 1,600 litters were reported in West Flanders last year. Now we are already on the same number throughout Flanders, and at least 20 new reports are added in our province every day. “This year we see an increase with factor of five. That invasive species is a keeper, we don’t have to expect a decrease,” says Soete.
Currently the hornets are moving en masse from their first, lower nest to a second nest, often high in trees. “During this transition period there are even two nests per colony active. The higher nest is now about the size of a melon,” explains Soete.