My point exactly, when I first started discussing what we could do with Martyn Hocking , the man in Woolacombe whose bees were attacked by AH last September.
But if we assume they are here already then they have not been bothering the bee keepers in the area or areas where they are established, and by established I mean having moved to the secondary nest stage. SO if there are colonies that would have produced founding queens for next spring they ought to be visible in trees at this time of year. If such a nest is found then we would know to expect attacks on Hives within a 60k radius (give or take a few) of that nest next April, May, June.
If that is indeed the case the authorities wont be able to cope, their are just not enough bee inspectors or enough funds to sustain eradication. You only have to read the planning documents NBU, Defra, NNSS have issued to know what the phrase 'Subject to availability and cost' means...there no money!
In the latest update on the BBKA wesite their information ad advice ( which was based on the Tetbury incident the following can be found:
"We are asking beekeepers within or bordering the area highlighted in yellow on the map in
the formal copy of this notice below to remain particularly vigilant to signs of the Asian
hornet. During the remaining winter months, you can check for nests in trees. In France,
Asian hornets can form nests in many types of tree. However, in trees which lose their leaves
in the autumn any nests can become visible and clearly seen in the winter as the branches are
bare."
The maps area I would guess is 60k radius from Tetbury, although I have not seen the map.
Now BBKA, NBU, et al, are just asking bee keepers to look.....how much better if we can get everybody to look.
,
ha, yes indeed, their the biggest culprit over here, that and Mistletoe
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