Asian Hornet Invasion 2025: UK's First Nest Sparks Fear of Unstoppable Swarm

Ever wonder what’s buzzing in the UK this spring? Well, it’s not just the usual chit-chat over a cuppa, but rather something a bit more… sinister? Imagine my surprise—and let’s be honest, slight horror—when I learned that the first Asian Hornet nest of 2025 was unearthed in Langley, Kent, on 16 April. Here I was, thinking my biggest concern was keeping up with my SEO strategies, only to find out my beekeeping friends from the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) are now on high alert!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve dealt with enough unexpected updates and algorithm changes to handle a few bugs. But these aren’t the kind you flick away or ignore; these hornets are the stuff nightmares are made of, especially for our native bee populations. They’re slightly larger than our British hornets, and if that’s not scary enough, they’ve got a taste for honeybees—killing anywhere between 60 to 90 of them a day. Talk about an appetite!

Despite these “unprecedented” numbers, as Ian Campbell from BBKA mentions, there’s a silver lining. It’s only the second time these critters have overwintered in the UK. A part of me finds this fascinating, like discovering a plot twist in an ongoing series—but in real life, this twist is more unsettling than entertaining.

In all seriousness, these hornets are not to be underestimated. They arrived in France from China, stowing away in pottery no less, and they’ve now set their sights on England’s greener pastures (and bee hives). You might not think they’re a direct threat to humans, but trust me, when you’re out enjoying a sunny day, the last thing you want is a run-in with something that could take down a hive of bees like it’s a buffet.

So, if you spot what looks like a more menacing version of a wasp, maybe larger, with a pattern on its abdomen that spells trouble, think twice before you snap a photo for Instagram. The BBKA recommends reporting these sightings through their official app, Asian Hornet Watch.

Let’s keep our eyes peeled, folks. After all, we’ve got enough on our plates without these unwanted guests. Stay safe, and maybe invest in a bee-friendly garden instead? I’ve heard they’re all the buzz this season.

I suppose it’s not all doom and gloom,

The nation’s first Asian Hornet nest of the year has been discovered, and warnings have already been sent out.

While the first individual hornet was found in March, the first full Asian Hornet nest was uncovered in Langley, Kent, on 16 April.

These insects were first reported in the UK in Tetbury, Gloucestershire back in 2016, with unprecedented numbers hitting the country in the summer of 2024, as several warnings and guidance on how to deal with them were shared by relevant bodies.

For the first time this year, urgent warnings have been sent out, by The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), no less.

The first Asian Hornet nest of the year was discovered on 16 April (Getty Stock Image)

They have announced that an ‘unprecedented’ number of Asian hornets could soon appear across the nation, after confirming that a single hornet and embryo nest were discovered in Langley.

The association explained that the nest was created by a queen wasp, surviving the winter.

It is only the second year this has been recorded, according to reports from the Mirror, so they could be here to stay.

While this is the first nest to be found in the UK, the creature has been spotted several times across the southeast of Kent, as the Asian Hornets overwintered in the UK for the first time last year.

The majority of sightings have been in the south of England, and with the weather getting warmer, British residents have been warned.

BBKA member Ian Campbell highlighted: “There’s a strong risk of this year’s numbers being at least as high as in 2023 and the potential to be even higher. It would be a surprise if numbers were not above the 2024 level.”

According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), there have been 147 confirmed sightings of the loud, venomous insects since 2016.

The Asian Hornets have overwintered for the second time ever (Getty Stock Image)

They may not pose a threat to human health, but they could wipe out native wasps and hornets, measuring slightly bigger in size to their British counterparts.

More importantly, they pose a risk to honey bees and insect pollinators, with Asian Hornets having the capability to kill anywhere between 60 and 90 honeybees a day, with dozens even raiding a bee hive with a method called ‘hawking’ where they wait for returning bees, to feast on the protein-rich honeybees.

It is believed that they first appeared in France in mainland Europe, arriving in a bit of pottery shipped from China.

The BBKA continues to encourage Brits to report sightings of Asian Hornets on the official Asian Hornet Watch app.

A BBKA spokesperson added: “It is important not to approach or disturb a nest, as although they are not generally aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat,” a spokesperson from the charity advised.

Stay safe out there.