Beekeepers find three Asian hornet nests in Dornbirn
Wednesday 28th October 2026 on 16:15 in
Austria
Three nests of invasive Asian hornets have been found in Dornbirn after a lengthy search by the beekeepers’ association, ORF reports. Nests have also been reported in Dafins, where the search for them is continuing.
The Dornbirn nests were located in the Wallenmahd, Kehlegg and Grundegg districts. They are due to be destroyed to curb the spread of the species, with a pest-control contractor scheduled to deal with two of them on Thursday.
Asian hornets pose a particular threat to honeybee colonies, which can make up as much as 80 per cent of their diet. Their venom is generally no more dangerous to people than that of native hornets, beekeeper Martin Alfare said, but their stingers are about one and a half times as long as those of European hornets. The insects may attack in large numbers if they perceive a threat to their nest, and can also spray venom. The nests should not be removed by untrained people.
To trace nests, Alfare uses bait made with wine, beer and something sweet. Hornets that visit are marked, and the time between visits helps estimate the distance to the nest. Biologist Elisabeth Ritter of Inatura also captures individual hornets and attaches transmitters to help pinpoint nests.
People who find a suspected Asian hornet are asked to send a photograph to Inatura in Dornbirn. Reports are received daily, Ritter said, although not all sightings are confirmed as the invasive species.
The Asian hornet was first recorded in Vorarlberg in June, when two small primary nests were found in Lustenau. Sightings were reported repeatedly in Dornbirn in July and August. In Feldkirch Tisis, no further hornets have been found apart from one dead specimen near the Liechtenstein border.
Small primary nests in spring are easier to find than secondary nests, which hang high in tree canopies in summer. A secondary nest can contain 1,500 to 2,000 hornets, and 150 to 200 young queens may have left by the time it is discovered. Alfare said completely eradicating the species in Europe was probably no longer possible, but limiting its spread remained important.