In order of implementation, my plan on the arrival of the Asian hornet is as follows:
- I will have left the grass to grow long in an arc in front of the hives. I do that now anyway so that I do not disturb the bees when cutting the grass.
- I will have installed screens in front of the hive stands to remove hiding places under the hive and between them.
- In late February/early March I will put out my spring monitoring traps near likely hibernation spots or water sources and this will NOT necessarily be in the apiary itself.
- When configuring my hives for the new season I will take the opportunity to install the Apishield floors.
- Early on I will identify any colonies that are weaker than others and I will unite these to get strong colonies in the summer; that will be really important.
- In early summer I will begin summer trapping with traps placed around the apiary at around 1.5m in trees and in the sun; the number will be determined by seeing what the bees are doing. If they are not flying I am not catching enough hornets; simple as that.
- When the hornets start hawking the hives towards the end of July and I judge the main flow is ending I will drop the entrance restrictors and install the muzzles.
- When I have identified the hornets’ flight path I will deploy the harpe electrique and I will be putting sticky traps under the hives.
- I will time my inspections to avoid mid-day, favouring early evening.
- As hawking intensifies I will install additional non-selective inner traps at entrance level just in front but to the side of the entrances.
- At peak predation I will introduce Veto Pharma traps on top of and behind the hives and I will feed the bees.
- In October, I will ensure the bait is appropriate for autumn trapping of sexuals.