Deadly Asian hornets have reportedly been spotted in bordering towns between Donegal and Derry.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, pest control expert Kieran Lambert says as honey bees are already in decline, the biggest problem is the fact that they “seek [honey bees] out and kill them.”
Hornets have been known to wipe out entire bee colonies. The honey bee is responsible for pollinating plants and crops, and if they were to decline further it would have a massive impact on the agricultural sector.
These hornet wasps have reportedly caused the deaths of six people in France who suffered from severe allergic reactions after being stung.
Lambert says that they have a large stinger, so it will naturally be painful if you get stung. Health wise, “they’re just like any other stinging insect, it all just depends how it affects you.”
They can be distinguished from wasps as they are much larger, with large round heads and abdomens. They also have a longer stinger with darker and slightly more muted colours in comparison to the wasp’s vibrantly contrasting yellow and black.
If you see a hornet, please do not hesitate to report the sighting as pest experts are hoping to eradicate the chance of hornets developing in Ireland.
You can contact the Irish Pest Control Association on 087 770 2059.
Lambert concludes by saying “If they do become established here, I won’t be looking forward to going and treating a hornet’s nest, let’s put it that way.”
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