Asian Hornet Threat Rises

Saturday, 27 September 2025 15:09

By Martin Webber

There’s a been a big increase this year in sightings of the dangerous Asian hornet.

More than 100 nests have been destroyed already this year - most of them in Kent.

That’s well up on the 24 nests found last year.

The Asian hornet arrived from France.

It’s a non-native predator that can wipe out honey bee colonies and devastate native insect populations.

According to the government, two nearby Asian hornet nests had to be destroyed on 27th August. One was at Cranbrook and the other at Plaxtol.

Listen here to Sue Knights, who’s Asian Hornet Coordinator for the Kent Beekeeping Association:

Here is a guide to how to spot one.

For more:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asian-hornet-uk-sightings
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asian-hornet-uk-sightings/asian-hornet-sightings-recorded-since-2016

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