Ute Schneider-Ritter and Dr

Ute Schneider-Ritter and Dr. Wolfgang Ritter on August 18, 2026 - 05:00 AM Asian Hornet: Strengthening Your Bee Colonies' Defense Hornets put pressure on bee colonies. These practical tips enhance their defensive capabilities. © Ute Schneider-Ritter The Asian Hornet inspects our colonies carefully with its antennae, checking for honeybees behind the entrance. Since its detection in Germany in 2014, the Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, has become a significant concern for many beekeepers, who are actively combating it. Traps with attractants or electric wires are often used, but these are prohibited under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (§ 44 BNatSchG) due to their non-selective nature, which can also harm protected native species like the Hornet Vespa crabro. The Asian Hornet is considered established in much of Europe and can be targeted for control, but not with non-selective traps. Many beekeepers are dedicated to locating and removing nests, which can slow its spread but not stop it entirely. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on how to best protect bee colonies and enhance their resilience.