Are Asian Hornets a Threat to UK Bees?

If you’ve been keeping your eye on the latest wildlife news in the UK, you’ll likely be aware of the rising problem of Asian hornets making their way to Jersey. This has prompted nationwide vigilance, especially amongst beekeepers, as the invasive species has even been spotted as far north as Durham in May 2025.

This month at Pest Defence, as specialists in removing hornet nests, we’re looking at what threat Asian hornets may pose to the UK bee population.

Key Takeaways:

• Asian hornets pose a major threat to UK bee populations, capable of killing up to 40 honeybees per minute and destroying entire colonies.
• Sightings of Asian hornets have been confirmed across the UK, and you can report sightings on the Defra app.
• Bees are vital for pollination and the UK food supply, their decline causes ripple effects across the ecosystem.
• Pest Defence offers expert hornet nest removal services across Essex and London, with trained professionals available to handle both Asian and European hornet infestations safely.

Are Asian hornets a threat to bees?

Yes, Asian hornets pose a major threat to bees and other pollinating insects. It’s for this reason that the public has been urged to report any sightings to Defra via a specially designed app. 

A single Asian hornet can kill up to 40 honeybees a minute, leading to the exhaustion and destruction of colonies. This is becoming an ever-increasing risk, partially owing to the milder winters that allow the Asian hornets to spread across the European continent.

• Many people are now searching “are Asian hornets dangerous?”, so we refer you to the government’s latest information here. 
• For more information on identifying Asian hornets, see our previous post here.
• Are Asian hornets in the UK? Yes, and you can see the latest news from the BBC here.

Why are bees important?

The bees in the UK help to create a third of the food we eat, pollinating crops and other flowers. This makes them an absolutely vital part of our natural ecology. Only with healthy, sustained bee populations can we keep our own supply chains running.

The loss of bees has something of a ripple effect on other wildlife, too, since without enough fruit and seeds, there is not enough food for other mammals to eat. It’s this knock-on effect on ourselves and other creatures that makes the protection of bees so important.

How do hornets affect bee hives?

Asian hornets are known to deploy a technique called “hawking”, which means they hover at entrances to the hives of pollinating insects like bees, picking off the population. They use their sizable mandibles to decapitate bees, taking the thorax back to feed their own nest. They have also been known to take larvae from bee nests.

Just a handful of these Asian hornets can decimate a hive, as they pick off foragers. This then means more of the bees have to attempt to defend the hive, meaning that overall the amount of pollination and natural hive progress falls drastically. 

Are European hornets a threat to bees?

While the European hornet is also known to eat bees, they are far less likely to mount sustained and targeted attacks on hives. Our native hornet population feeds on other insects as well as bees, making them a normal part of the ecosystem and beneficial for removing other pests.

The only reason to remove a European hornet nest is if the colony has established itself indoors or in a place that presents a significant risk to humans. For example, if you run a business in hospitality, such as a hotel or pub, and find a hornet nest on your property that is bothering or scaring guests, this would be cause to seek professional removal.

Hornet nest removal services across Essex

At Pest Defence, if you’re experiencing an issue with hornets at your home or your place of business in Essex and across London, we’re here to help. We can provide advice if you believe you’ve spotted an Asian hornet, and our technicians can perform safe, efficient hornet nest removal services.

Fully qualified and trained, we work discreetly to handle hornets safely so that you don’t have to worry. Contact us today to find out more or to book an appointment in your area.