Nest of Asian Hornets exterminated in Palingbeek
Now that the leaves have begun to fall from the trees, the Asian hornet’s large nests are more visible and accessible, making them easier to eradicate. On the provincial domain De Palingbeek in Ypres, another such nest was defused this afternoon. The exotic wasp species has been advancing in our region for five years, and because it poses a threat to the bees, it is very important to destroy the nests.
“This year, three nests of Asian hornets, an exotic wasp species that eat honey bees, among other things, were noticed on the West Flemish provincial domains,” says N-VA West Flanders. Provincial councilor Johan De Poorter (N-VA) requested this from the provincial government.
“Stop the advance”
“To stop the advance of the exotic wasp species, it is best to destroy all nests as soon as possible. If you notice one yourself, you can register it on the Vespawatch website,” says provincial councilor De Poorter.
The green service of the province of West Flanders has already identified nests of Asian hornets in the provincial domains this year Kemmelberg, Palingbeek and Bulskampveld.
“In the meantime, these have been removed on the Kemmelberg. The nest has not yet been located in the provincial domain in Beernem. It is not the province of West Flanders, but the Flemish project Vespawatch that coordinates the reduction of Asian hornets”, explains Johan De Poorter. (read more below the photo)
Threat to native bees
Experts have been very concerned in recent months about the rapid spread of the Asian hornet.
De Poorter: “This exotic wasp species poses a serious threat to our native bees. In order to moderate the pressure on honeybees, the province of West Flanders wants to increase the nectar and pollen sources in its domains through a number of targeted design and management measures. The more flower-visiting insects there are, the more alternative prey there are for the Asian hornet.”
Flemish Bee Institute exterminates hornet
However, the most important measure to slow down the advance of the Asian hornets is to destroy the nests as soon as possible. If you notice a nest yourself, you can register it via vespawatch.be. Subsequently, the Flemish Bee Institute (=VBI) is responsible for the extermination of the nests. Defusing a nest of Asian hornets yourself is not a good plan, because the wasps attack immediately.