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Monitoring station using a takeaway container:

One of the simplest ways to monitor for Asian Hornets is to construct a monitoring station with a takeaway tray. See image above.

Bait the takeaway tray with kitchen towels liberally soaked in fruit juice with extra sugar, and a small amount of vinegar; or use a proprietary wasp/hornet bait. Weigh down the kitchen towel and tray using pebbles to prevent them from blowing away. Position the bait station in a sheltered location in direct sunlight throughout the day, preferably near a site of insect activity, e.g. flowering ivy, buddleia, fallen fruit. NBU inspectors spray the same bait on a bush or solid object nearby, in a sunny spot, to encourage insects into the monitoring station. Native insects can deplete the bait quite quickly, so it may need to be topped up regularly.

When insects are feeding, they are generally not aggressive, enabling photos to be taken. If you choose to monitor insects using this type of bait station, keep the lid nearby and if you notice a suspicious insect, you can quickly trap it for identification. Keep a copy of the ID sheet handy to assist with identification of insects. https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/2_Diseases_and_Pests/Asian-Hornet/01_ID_Vespa_velutina_Asian_Hornet_5.0_1.pdf

If you are monitoring in an area where there is an unconfirmed sighting, the bait should be monitored for at least half an hour, for several consecutive days. Pleasant (warm, calm) weather is most likely to yield a positive sighting, as hornets are less likely to fly in bad weather.

For regular monitoring, chose a location where you can closely observe any insect activity, such as a window ledge.

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Download the Asian Hornet Watch App free from Apple Store or Google Play