Asian hornet control efforts in Dutch towns Stein and Weert

The municipality of Stein partnered with the Imkervereniging Mergelland to curb the spread of the Asian hornet (geelpoothoornaar). By the end of May 2026, 120 hornet traps had captured 1,017 Asian hornet queens, along with a few native wasps and bees. Traps were removed after June, and nest reports are handled through the Buitenbeter app.

In Weert, the local government signed an agreement with the Imkervereniging St. Ambrosius to tackle the same invasive species. On 30 July, beekeepers removed a secondary summer nest from a tree on Molenakker, using specialized equipment and temporarily closing part of the sidewalk. Residents are encouraged to report nests via the municipality, with guidance to use image‑recognition apps for identification.