Killer Asian hornets are destroying my business – it’s costing me thousands and I’m powerless
A DEVASTATED beekeeper has told how killer Asian hornets are destroying his business.
Peter Down, from New Romney in Kent, was left shocked after the lethal insects massacred thousands of bees at his apiary.
The yellow-legged predators caused havoc at Mr Down’s apiary in Capel-Le-Ferne in near Folkestone.
Peter, who runs Marsh Apiaries in Capel-Le-Ferne, watched in horror as the hornets attacked his hives.
The bloodthirsty insects decapitated his bees and then used the bodies to feed their young.
As a result, he hasn’t been able to make any honey this year due to the outbreak
The 40-year-old told KentOnline: “We were pushing more than 20 hives coming into the season, but have lost between 14 and 16. I feel like I’ve lost everything.”
The beekeeper usually makes over 600 jars of honey by this time of year but the hornet invasion has killed off production.
He added: “Our bees are so stressed that they are not producing the honey they need to.
“They are also not producing the stores they need to survive the winter let alone give us any to sell.”
The venomous insect was previously spotted in the area of Kent – with the last sighting in Canterbury August 2023.
Peter has now taken matters into his own hands and has set traps to catch the nasty stinging bugs.
He said: “On an average trap, we had been finding 12 to 14 hornets, which is high numbers given we check them every 24 to 48 hours.”
But Mr Down says there should not have been any, as the National Bee Unit (NBU) had destroyed three nests just days earlier.
Experts believe this is the beginning of a massive invasion after 42 were reported across 36 of locations in the area.
Ecologist Roger Simpson said: “They are a predator on all pollinators. So this isn’t simply a niche problem for bee-keepers.
“Asian hornets will threaten our food supply and lead to food shortages and increased prices.
“So the problem is the hornet population could take off exponentially.”
The British Beekeeping Association urged people to be on the lookout for potential nests and has set a national plan to eradicate the killer bees.
A spokesperson said: “The sharp increase in Asian hornets in England is a serious concern. The national contingency plan is currently one of eradication.
“The BBKA has established a national network of Asian Hornet Teams to help identify and raise awareness amongst the public of this invasive species, set monitoring stations and assist the NBU on request.”
An Animal Plant Health Agency spokesperson added: “We are committed to working closely with stakeholders who have been extremely helpful in increasing vigilance and awareness of Asian hornets.”
It comes as the deadly Asian hornet caused a mass destruction around Europe – with attacks on people and ruining crops – and it could be now heading to the UK.
Brits are urged to be prepared for an “inevitable” full-scale invasion of people killing predators.
Experts said there is little time left until the yellow legged killers settle a firm hold in Southern England.
The invasion of these dangerous pests has already begun on the Channel Island of Jersey, where nearly 500 killer queens were caught.