For several years we have warned of the threat of the Asian Hornet and so far little has come of it. A bit like the boy who cried wolf - but it is not.
Two years ago we had Asian Hornets on Portland. Due to prompt action we eliminated them before they could get a hold. It is that same prompt action we need now.

Courtesy The Animal and Plant Health Agency Nigel Semmence (APHA), Crown Copyright
The Asian Hornet - or Yellow Legged Hornet or Yellow Legged Asian Hornet - will be at that stage in its life cycle where the fertilised queen (gyne) is establishing a primary nest and laying eggs. This is when she is at her most vulnerable. She is a single mother who has to look after her young and also go out to work and collect food.
This is the time when we should be setting monitoring stations and monitoring traps. If we can catch and kill one Yellow Legged Hornet then that will potentially save us from up to 350 fertilised queens being produced for next year.
So I urge you to get your traps and bait stations out there. Place sweet, carbohydrate lures in there and monitor them every day. For bait use any combination of beer, wine, fruit juice with some sugar. If you catch an Yellow Legged Hornet then pop it in the freezer. That way it is killed, preserved and in a suitable state for DEFRA to examine the DNA. Contact the local Asian Hornet Coordinator or report it on the App.
Why is it important for DEFRA to be informed? Well they may be able to identify the origins of hornet. Supposing we get two queens found in Dorset. If they are not related then it was just chance that gave us two. However if they were related then the chances are we have many more in the county that over wintered here.