Effective monitoring does not need to be expensive or complicated. A homemade trap made from a plastic bottle and sugar-based bait, placed somewhere it can be checked daily, is a simple and reliable method.
The NBU guidance on Asian hornet monitoring, which outlines best practices for responsible and effective trapping is a useful document (download).
Based on current evidence, this could very well be a one-off incident, similar to previous isolated findings in Middlesbrough and Hull. That said, the discovery of a secondary nest suggests the possibility of a now-inactive primary nest nearby.
Local monitoring in the Langton area is essential, but wider surveillance across Yorkshire is also strongly encouraged. The aim is to cover as many 1km grid squares as possible in high-risk areas.
The following links on creating traps may be useful:
- DIY trap video on YouTube (download instruction sheet)
- 3D-printable trap design (Thingiverse) – Please ensure traps include escape routes for non-target insects and are checked frequently
