Expert explains what attracts Asian Hornets to your home as UK put on alert

An expert has revealed the what you can do to prevent attracting Asian Hornet wasps to your home amid a rise in sightings across the UK.

As the UK enjoys warmer weather, the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has warmed Brits to stay vigilant about the non-native species.

Officially named Vespa velutina, the Asian Hornet is smaller and less aggressive than their European counterpart - meaning they won't interrupt your picnic.

Average size of Asian Hornet Wasp. (GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP via Getty Images)

Although the insect poses less of a risk to the general public, Asian Hornets can be dangerous towards our ecosystem.

The wasps are predatory towards honeybees and insect pollinators, capable of consuming up to 50 bees a day.

Thankfully, Asian Hornets sightings aren't particularly common across the country. Gov.uk has revealed there has been eight confirmed sightings of the insect so far this year, primarily in the South-East of the UK.

There has been 109 sightings since 2016, a figure which includes 85 nests.

Thankfully an expert has now shared tips on how to avoid attracting them to your home across the summer months.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, pest controller Robert Moon revealed the wasps are attracted to sources of protein as well as fruits.

"If there is a dead sparrow, they will happily eat that," Robert, who has spent the past decade researching the species, said.

"If you have fruit on the ground that's a nice bit of sugar for them."

Guidelines state that all rubbish and food residue should be safely stored in order to avoid attracting Asian Hornets.

Robert also revealed the specific places Asian Hornets will target in your home, with the insects favouring, dry and secure places away from humans.

"They will try to nest in attics, garden sheds because it's an ideal place for them to build their nest because it's a nice secure open space," he said.

"It's dry and protected from the elements and doesn't have too much human walk-through."

Nest of Asian Hornet Wasps (Flach JJ/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Should you spot an Asian Hornet in your home, DEFRA has advised you to report the insect using this online form as soon as possible.

Alternatively you can download the app ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ or email [email protected].

Despite warnings to stay away from the insect it appears that not everyone is following the advice, with YouTuber Coyote Peterson letting an Asian Hornet bite him to discover what would happen.

The video, originally filmed in 2020, saw 42-year-old left in pain for 'close to six hours'.