What bait for the hornet: understanding its role and effectiveness
Cécile de Produits-Veto
Pharmacy technician ·
Choosing a suitable hornet bait helps to quickly reduce the pressure of hornets around apiaries, gardens or homes. This choice remains essential when facing the Asian hornet, an invasive species that is a particularly effective predator of honeybees.
Indeed, a well-formulated bait greatly increases the effectiveness of selective traps. It attracts hornets without excessively disturbing beneficial insects. It is therefore an important lever in an overall strategy to protect pollinators.
Moreover, using a specific attractant limits accidental catches. This approach therefore remains preferable to home-made recipes, which are often too generic.
Why is hornet bait important for bees?
Protecting colonies against predation
The Asian hornet actively hunts in front of hives. It captures bees in hovering flight. Gradually, the colony becomes exhausted.
Then, the constant pressure reduces the foraging trips of worker bees. Honey production decreases. The colony can even collapse.
Installing traps with a suitable hornet bait therefore directly helps to:
- reduce predation pressure
- protect weakened colonies
- secure honey production
- limit the spread of secondary colonies
Limiting nest establishment nearby
Early trapping reduces the formation of colonies. This remains particularly effective in spring.
Indeed, catching foundress queens greatly reduces the number of secondary nests during summer.
This strategy is today one of the simplest ways to locally control the population.
Reducing risks for humans and animals
The Asian hornet can become aggressive near its nest. It therefore poses a risk to:
- beekeepers
- pets
- walkers
- children
Preventive trapping improves safety around homes.
Sweet baits in spring
In spring, foundress queens look for sugar. They need energy to build their primary nest.
Effective attractants generally contain:
- fermentable sugars
- fruity aromas
- attractive volatile compounds
They greatly increase the capture of queens.
Protein baits in summer
During summer, hornets feed their larvae. They seek more protein.
Thus, the attractiveness of baits naturally changes according to the season.
However, professional attractants remain formulated to maintain prolonged effectiveness.
Specific attractants for the Asian hornet
Attractants formulated by specialist laboratories offer several advantages:
- better selectivity
- longer duration of action
- optimised seasonal effectiveness
- limitation of catches of non-target insects
They therefore represent the most reliable solution for controlled trapping.
Recommended veterinary solutions to effectively attract the hornet
To get good results, it is advisable to use attractants specifically designed for trapping the Asian hornet.
On Produits-veto.com, several solutions are available.
For example:
100 sticks of 10 ml
Its benefits:
- targeted attractant for the Asian hornet
- compatible with VespaCatch traps
- enhanced effectiveness in spring
- simple to use
- protection of honeybees
This type of attractant noticeably improves the capture rate compared with homemade recipes.
1L attractant.
Its benefits:
- specific formulation for the Asian hornet
- prolonged diffusion
- adapted seasonal effectiveness
- improved capture rate
- ready-to-use solution
Frequently asked questions about hornet bait
What is the best bait for the Asian hornet?
The best bait for the Asian hornet remains a specific attractant formulated for this species. Unlike home-made mixtures, these solutions offer better selectivity. They also limit the capture of beneficial insects. Moreover, their diffusion remains stable for several weeks. They therefore noticeably improve trapping effectiveness.
Can a homemade bait be used against the Asian hornet?
A homemade bait can work occasionally. However, it also attracts other insects. This lack of selectivity reduces its ecological value. On the other hand, professional attractants target the Asian hornet more specifically. They therefore represent a more responsible solution.
When should a bait for the Asian hornet be installed?
Installation ideally starts from February or March depending on the weather. This period corresponds to the emergence of foundress queens. Catching these queens greatly limits the formation of secondary colonies. It then remains possible to continue trapping throughout the active season.
Where should a trap with hornet bait be placed?
The trap should be installed at human height. It is advisable to position it near:
- apiaries
- fruit trees
- flowering areas
- water points
A sunny location often increases trapping effectiveness.
To find out more about hornet baits
- All our bee products
- Find all our traps against hornets and pests
- Read about Varroa with Veto-pharma
- Find out about the hornet on our blog
