Asian hornet numbers 'crazy' this year - with beer an unlikely temptation
The dangerous Asian hornet population has gone "absolutely crazy" this year, warned an expert insect exterminator.
There could be as many as three times more hornets in the UK than previous years, and they're hunting a sweet treat.
Pub-goers have been warned to watch out for the bugs, as they've taken an unlikely fondness to alcohol.
The hornets have often been spotted hanging over beer pint glasses in pub gardens, but have also taken to Champagne, according to Guernsey's Asian hornet chief huntsman, Francis Russell.
They're so attracted to alcohol, that the experts launched a beer mat campaign urging drinkers to track whenever they've seen an Asian hornet.
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The hornets have often been spotted hanging over beer pint glasses in pub gardens (Guernsey State)
The insects have also taken a fondness to bubbly (Guernsey State)Francis said: "We have noticed over the last few summers that Asian hornets have a taste for alcohol.
"We have pictures of hornets over beer glasses. We've got them over glasses of Champagne and they do seem to find summer parties, barbecues, pub gardens and that's where we occasionally get reports of Asian hornets turning up.
"That's a good place for us to start tracking and working out where their nests are," he told the Daily Star.
"They like booze, so to raise awareness we went to a brewery to do beer mats and are encouraging people in pubs who are out to take photos for different demographics.
"Hornets have some affinity with champagne, white wine, beer particularly.
"This year it’s gone absolutely crazy," he added, revealing that it's normal to spot nine or 10 queens at this time in the year - but he's so far recorded 32.
Asian hornets have a powerful sting that could trigger a deadly allergic reaction in some people.
But, they also pose a major threat to the native population of bees.
Asian hornets have a powerful sting that could trigger a deadly allergic reaction in some people (Guernsey State)"They are a very aggressive insect predator," added Francis.
"They impact our native insects so our biodiversity is at risk here - our honey bees, butterflies, bumble bees, wasps; they're all going to be predated by these hornets.
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"If you disturb a nest, they will attack. People in Spain and Portugal have died from Asian hornet attacks, so we want to keep people safe."
But, the cost of removing Asian hornet nests is incredibly high, he added.
Exterminators need to be highly trained, have special hornet suits, as well as have access to cherry pickers.
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