A real Hornet's Nest

[beeno]

Hi all,
Yesterday, I destroyed a European hornet's nest the size of a tennis ball in a yew tree 2m away from two of my bee hives in my garden. I used my usual pest control tool of an old hoover, so no pesticides used. I did not find the hornets particularly aggressive, but it was a very small nest containing ca 20-30 mature hornets and some larvae. However, would this be this year's overwintered queen, me thinking it was a small nest for this time of the year or uncharacteristically a queen born this season?
Thanks folks.

 

[deanrpwaacs]

May i ask why ? Were they causing you any bother or harm ?

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[beeno]

They are hawking and killing my bees which will reduce their ability to bring nectar back to the hives thus weakening the hives for winter. Also, nest far to close to two hives which will agitate the bees and may change their temperament when I inspect. There are always European hornets about in my neighbourhood, but this nest was just too close and would have grown bigger with time.

 

[Karol]

Hi all,
Yesterday, I destroyed a European hornet's nest the size of a tennis ball in a yew tree 2m away from two of my bee hives in my garden. I used my usual pest control tool of an old hoover, so no pesticides used. I did not find the hornets particularly aggressive, but it was a very small nest containing ca 20-30 mature hornets and some larvae. However, would this be this year's overwintered queen, me thinking it was a small nest for this time of the year or uncharacteristically a queen born this season?
Thanks folks.

Unlikely this season. Hornets tend to lag behind because they specialise in hunting other wasps and honeybees whose populations have to build before hornets can exploit them.

 

[beeno]

Unlikely this season. Hornets tend to lag behind because they specialise in hunting other wasps and honeybees whose populations have to build before hornets can exploit them.

Thanks Karol.

 

[Millet]

I would have done the same i could not be done with them things anywhere near me or the hives.

 

[psafloyd]

But why?

Hi all,
Yesterday, I destroyed a European hornet's nest the size of a tennis ball in a yew tree 2m away from two of my bee hives in my garden.

 

[beeno]

But why?

Answered that in post three.

 

[psafloyd]

Answered that in post three.

Yes, sorry, I saw that, but didn't want to leave a blank message.