Asian Hornet Control: a new selective trap is being finalized


Beekeepers are waging a veritable war against this invasive species, which is ferociously fond of bees.
For several months now, I've been working on proposing solutions that are truly effective and adapted to the field.

I had already designed a first 2 L hornet trap, solid, economical, no DIY, hang anywhere. After a few minor corrections, this file will soon be available for download (personal use only). A small series of physical copies will be marketed at second half of 2025.

From september 2024, I'm devoting myself to the development of a new selective trap, for both professional and private customers.


Design objectives: essential criteria

In my opinion, a good Asian hornet trap must meet the following criteria:

1 - Effectively capturing the Asian hornet

(Yes, that's the basics, even if some people seem to have forgotten).
EFFECTIVE

2 - Prevent the entry or allow the exit of other insects

Bees, butterflies, etc.
SELECTIVE

3 - Shock-resistant

Sturdy inlet/outlet grilles, robust structure.
SOLID

4 - Weatherproof

Durable, waterproof materials.
DURABLE

5 - Easy to hang

Branch, wire mesh, simple rope.
ADAPTABLE

6 - High capture capacity

Up to 3 L of hornets (minimum 1 L).
GOOD CAPACITY

7 - Easy to use

With equipment found in every home.
ECONOMICS

8 - No DIY required

No tools, no additional purchases.
SIMPLE

9 - Total autonomy

Once baited, it has to «work» on its own for several days.
AUTONOMOUS

10 - Protecting accidentally-entered bees

Thanks to an innovative separation module that makes the bait inaccessible.
INNOVATIVE


Finalized prototype: already very promising results

The trap has now been designed, and the tests carried out in my orchard at the end of the 2024 season have been successful. excellent. It is functional for domestic use, But this is just the beginning.

At present, several specimens have been entrusted to two beekeepers in Auvergne (Allier and Puy-de-Dôme) for :

  • the spring trapping of founding queens,
  • from testing in dam conditions,
  • evaluation of resistance and selectivity on several sites.

With the spring queens already on the move, feedback is particularly valuable.


First copies: vigilance

Despite the scant information made public, the trap has already been partially copied, at least in concept.
I've removed photos, detailed descriptions and a few comments.

But I do have one conviction:
users always prefer the original to the copy.

Read also: « Coup de gueule: Hornet traps - warning about quality »


Journal de développement - News

25/03/2025
New version of the bait separation module.
With this evolution, no market trap is as successful.
Six test traps are currently equipped with them.

30/03/2025
Allier (03) and Puy-de-Dôme (63): still waiting for the true start-up of the founding queens.
Two queens captured a fortnight ago, then nothing.

02/04/2025
First really hot day: hornets arrive en masse after a night at 10°C.
First captures of spring queens!

20/04/2025
One of the test beekeepers captures a lot of hornets.
I'm also seeing numerous captures in my orchard, despite the unseasonably low temperatures.
Very encouraging.

23/05/2025
Over a hundred hornets have been caught in my orchard since early spring.
My two partner beekeepers include :

  • one makes a lot of catches,
  • the other, more fortunate, has very little impact and traps very few.
    And good for him.

To be continued...


Beekeepers in Auvergne: I'm still looking for testers

Are you a beekeeper in Allier or Puy-de-Dôme?
You wish to free trial my traps or other equipment?

👉 Please contact me.


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