South West Water is working with customers and visitors to the region to keep up the momentum in the fight against one of the biggest threats to our natural pollinators as part of Asian Hornet Week (2 - 8 September 2024).

The Asian hornet is a priority invasive non-native species first discovered in the UK in 2016. They feed on our native bees and a range of other pollinators, hawking around hives. Asian hornets in the UK rose rapidly in 2023 and September is the peak time to see them

As a large landowner across the South West with a responsibility for conserving the natural environment, South West Water is working closely with a range of stakeholders to protect our native biodiversity.

The water company has also been spreading the message at its community roadshows over the summer, showing customers the difference between a native hornet and an Asian hornet – also called a yellow-legged hornet.

South West Water is encouraging members of the public to keep an eye out for hornets and to report any suspected sightings. They can do so by downloading the Asian Hornet Watch app which can be found at: www.nonnativespecies.org/non-native-species/species-alerts/

Once a positive report is found, the nest will be tracked down and humanely disposed of by a special team funded by the government.

Kate Hills, Biosecurity and Invasive Species Manager at South West Water, said: “The Asian hornet is a major threat to our native insects, so it’s really important that we play a part to monitor and manage the species, along with all of the great biodiversity work we do to benefit native wildlife.

“There are also health and safety concerns as Asian hornets are territorial and more aggressive than our native hornets, so we need to make sure any nests are found and disposed of quickly, which is why we are encouraging all of our customers to download the app and keep a look out.”

Kirsteen Thorne, Outreach Officer at the British Beekeepers Association, said: “Ports and marinas are known access points for Asian hornets, and therefore any coastal counties, such as Devon and Cornwall, may be particularly vulnerable to increased numbers. Correct identification is key to helping the authorities with their eradication programme. We are urging as many as people as possible to familiarise themselves with how to correctly identify Asian hornets, and to report any suspected sightings to the Asian Hornet Watch app.”