Guernsey boosts hornet nest destruction capability

The new lance can reach 50ft and injects insecticide into the nest

The Guernsey Asian Hornet Team has increased its nest destruction capability after acquiring a new lance, says the States of Guernsey.

The AirAdik lance was able to help the team tackle nests in high places, typically treetops, and when fully extended would reach 15m (50ft) above ground level, officials said.

A pressurised air system allowed the lance to inject insecticide into the target so that it could be safely removed, they added.

A States spokesperson said: "While the hunt is already on to locate and destroy all of this year’s nests, it is anticipated that this new lance will prove invaluable for dealing with difficult to reach nests."

The specialist equipment cost £2,150, which was split with the Guernsey Beekeepers' Association

The overall cost of the specialist equipment stood at £2,150, according to the States.

The Guernsey Beekeepers' Association has contributed 50% of this.

A cylinder and regulator valve for the new kit had also been donated by Donkey Divers Ltd to supply the lance with a steady flow of compressed air to treat nests, officicals said.

Francis Russell, invasive non-native species (INNS) policy and coordination officer, said: "As with the three nests already found this year, most of the 14 nests that we tackled last year were within easy reach of our standard 8m (26ft) lance from a mobile elevated platform.

"But the most difficult nests were out of reach or on uneven ground. The only option for removing the nests found on the cliffs at Fermain and two over quarries in the Vale was to utilise rope access specialists.

"This new lance will be a game changer and hopefully reduce the occasions where we need to work from a mobile elevated platform."

The equipment will be used across Guernsey, Herm and Sark.