Deurne takes action against Asian hornet threat to bees and safety
The municipality of Deurne is stepping up efforts to combat the invasive Asian hornet, which threatens honeybees and public safety. Residents are urged to report nests early to prevent large, dangerous colonies from forming this spring.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Deurne (Noord-Brabant) |
| Action Plan Start | Spring 2026 |
| Responsible Party | Municipality (previously province) |
| Reporting Platform | waarneming.nl |
| Hornet Identification | Black head, dark body, yellow leg tips |
| Nest Removal Deadline | Before November 15 (to prevent queen dispersal) |
| Threats | Honeybees, pollinators, public safety |
The municipality of Deurne is now responsible for managing the Asian hornet population after the province ceased systematic control efforts. Local authorities coordinate with beekeepers and outdoor services to assess and remove nests, safeguarding biodiversity and public safety.
Openrijk has no cookies or ads
But could use some support
external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Municipality of Deurne launches action plan against Asian hornet
Starting this spring, the municipality of Deurne will implement a new, practical approach to control the Asian hornet. From 2026, the province will no longer systematically combat this invasive species, making municipalities responsible for reporting and removing nests. The Asian hornet poses a risk to honeybees and other pollinators and can create unsafe situations when nests grow large.
Early reporting is crucial
In spring, queen hornets build small, spherical spring nests—about the size of a tennis ball—in sheltered spots such as sheds, awnings, and shrubs. These nests are easy to remove and prevent the development of large summer nests later in the year, which can contain thousands of hornets.
Recognizing the Asian hornet is therefore important. It has:
- a black head,
- a dark body,
- yellow tips on its legs.
How to report an Asian hornet nest?
Anyone who spots a nest or hornet can report it via waarneming.nl. The fieldwork group will then assess, together with beekeepers and the outdoor services, whether removal is necessary for biodiversity or safety reasons.
Nests in autumn
Nests that only become visible in autumn usually do not need to be removed after November 15. By then, the young queens have already flown out, and the nest will not be reused.
More information about the Asian hornet
- can be found on the page Asian hornet
- tips for recognizing the hornet,
- explanation of the municipal approach,
- and answers to frequently asked questions.
Together, we keep Deurne safe and protect our bees and other pollinators.