Area of the UK most likely to be hit by Asian Hornets as Brits put on alert

While there have been some sightings of the Asian Hornet across the UK there are some locations they seem to prefer over others.

Yes, the UK has been put on Asian Hornet alert due to the warmer weather as they're an invasive non-native species which pose a risk to our ecosystem.

Their stings are some magnitude more painful than those delivered by British wasps and hornets, and they can kill up to 50 Honey Bees a day which is a problem for already low bee populations.

You would not want to get stung by one of these little f**kers, and they're sometimes known as 'murder hornets'.

One bloke who let himself get stung by an Asian Hornet screamed in pain and said that it hurt for the next six hours, so you'd better know how to spot them.

They're also known as 'murder hornets'. (Getty Stock Photo)

If you can stomach getting close enough to get a good look then you should be able to see the darker body of the Asian Hornet, as well as a wide orange stripe on the insect's fourth segment of its abdomen.

Another giveaway is that the ends of its legs will be yellow as though someone dipped them in paint, but if you happen to be that close then you might want to back away.

As for whereabouts in the UK is most likely to have them, the National Bee Unit warns that it'll be the south and southeast of England that have to deal with these little blighters the most.

Sorry guys, you're likely to get the best of the sunshine and hot weather, so the 'murder hornets' are going to be part and parcel of it.

If you do spot one buzzing about then it might be an idea to buzz the Asian Hornet Watch app which helps the UK keep track of sightings.

You've been warned. (Getty stock photo)

Now we know where they're likely to strike in the UK it'd be useful to know where in your home they like to hang out.

As annoying as they might be to you they'll prefer to nest in dry and secure places well away from people, not that it'll stop them from coming to annoy and possibly sting you.

Attics and garden sheds are some of their preferred destinations, and if you see one on your property the DEFRA would also like to know all about it, and you can tell them here.

If you get up close to an active hornets nest the official advice is to definitely not disturb it, instead you ought to report it and try to leave the attempts at destroying or moving the nest to trained professionals.

Getting stung is going to hurt, and you should keep an eye out for potential allergic reactions.

Topics: UK News, Animals, Health

Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

@MrJoeHarker