Netherlands tackles Asian hornet and wasp problems with new detection and prevention methods

As summer temperatures rise, wasps become a common nuisance on Dutch terraces, barbecues and gardens. They are attracted to sweet foods, open drinks, uncovered waste and fermenting fruit. Simple measures such as covering food and drinks, promptly cleaning up leftovers, sealing waste bins, removing fallen fruit and avoiding strong scented cosmetics can markedly reduce their presence.

In parallel, Dutch volunteers are using a novel four‑millimetre transmitter attached to captured Asian hornet workers to locate nests with centimetre accuracy. The system, combined with a receiver and a dedicated app, has enabled the Rheden monitoring centre to find 30‑40 nests this year, part of a rapid increase from 12 reported nests in Gelderland in 2023 to 674 in 2025. Detected nests are removed by specialised pest‑control teams, often after releasing the tagged hornet. The technology is seen as a major step forward in protecting honeybees and other insects from the invasive Asian hornet.