In Charente-Maritime, the hunt for Asian hornets is open

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France 3 Poitou-Charentes

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To fight against the invasion of Asian hornets, trapping campaigns are organized everywhere in France, in particular on the territory of the Royan community. #TheyHaveTheSolution

It is a fearsome predator. Installed in France for ten years, the Asian hornet is a danger for bees, with which it feeds its larvae. It is also for humans, especially when a nest is close to dwellings. Everywhere on the French territory, the animal proliferates at high speed.

Faced with the threat, the authorities responsible for natural areas in the urban community of Royan Atlantique decided to declare war on it. A trapping campaign has been launched. The objective is simple: to stop the invasion and protect the population.

The community of Royan Atlantique has at least 2,000 traps installed throughout its territory. In order to be closer to its inhabitants, relay municipalities are made available to be able to distribute the devices more efficiently. 300 traps were given to them during the week of February 14 alone.

Once installed, the traps can capture several dozen individuals at a time. In order to capture a maximum of hornet queens, the devices should be installed between mid-February and mid-May. Especially since during this period, these predators end up coming out of their hibernation.

According to Hugo Berland, head of sensitive natural areas of the Royan community, it is possible to “remove queens from circulation” and massively remove hornet nests on the territory. Since the start of the operation in 2019, initiatives have multiplied to try to eliminate the threat. On the only condition that the trapping operation is renewed every year.


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