Combating the Asian hornet: A new selective trap finalized after two years of testing


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.

In 2024, the first 2-liter trap for the Asian hornet—selective, sturdy, economical, ready-to-use, and suitable for hanging anywhere—was designed: the AERO-VESPA trap.

Since the organization was founded, as part of the fight against these bee predators, I have been focusing on developing a new modular trap that is even more selective, intended for beekeepers and individuals.


Design objectives: essential criteria of this innovation

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

1 - Effectively capturing the Asian hornet
(That's right—it's still the basics, even if some people seem to have forgotten that.)
EFFECTIVE

2 — Limit the entry of some insects while allowing others to exit
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, support.
FORREDABLE

6 - High capture capacity
Up to 3 L (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

11 — Eliminating hornets without opening the trap
The trap is compact and allows for the quick and safe elimination of hornets through freezing.
SÉCURISÉ


2024, p.Finalized prototype: results are already very promising

Le piège est maintenant conçu et les tests réalisés dans mon verge, à proximité de mon rucher en fin de saison 2024 ont été excellent. It is functional for domestic use, But this is just the beginning.

Printemps 2025, en complément de mes pièges, plusieurs exemplaires sont confiés à deux apiculteurs professionnels Auvergnats (Allier et Puy-de-Dôme) pour :

  • the spring trapping of founding queens,
  • from testing in dam conditions,
  • l’évaluation de la résistance et de la sélectivité sur plusieurs sites et façons de les positionner.

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


First copies: vigilance

Malgré le peu d’informations rendues publiques, le piège a déjà été copié, au moins dans son concept. Il a fallu à peine 3 semaines pour qu’un module piège ressemblant très étrangement à mon modèle et surtout reprenant l’idée principale apparaisse sur le site Leboncoin. Copier un modèle est à la portée de n’importe qui, concevoir un accessoire efficace est une autre paire de manches!. Heureusement ce modèle de piètre conception et de mon point de vue inutilisable car fabriqué en 3D avec un filament PLA qui donne l’illusion d’un produit manufacturé mais à base de maïs… a rapidement disparu des radars. A défaut de capturer des frelons asiatiques ils aura sans aucun doute piéger quelques pigeons qui, faut-il l’espérer, auront signalé l’annonce aux modérateurs du site. À lire sur ce sujet : « Coup de gueule: Hornet traps - warning about quality »
I have removed photos, descriptions, and design details from the Apiobi website. The business Instagram account has been deleted, as it served as a catalog of ideas and innovations that was open to fraudsters and other plagiarists. I’m also being more discreet about my creations and am more carefully selecting the beekeepers to whom I entrust my accessories for testing.


Development and Capture Log — 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.

4/10/2025
The end-of-season trapping proves the model's effectiveness. I still need to decide on the marketing strategy.


📢 Beekeepers from Auvergne 📢

Are you a beekeeper in Allier or Puy-de-Dôme?
Would you like to try out my traps or other accessories for free?


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M@t | apiobi

Designer of functional equipment for additive manufacturing
I don't design 3D files. I design what you're going to make with them.

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