Gardeners urged to spray one item immediately as Asian hornets spotted in UK

UK households have been warned over a terrifying hornet that destroys bees and flowers – but luckily there’s one item you can spray to keep them away.

Asian hornets are a highly invasive species that are known to decimate bee populations and ravage ecosystems. They were accidentally introduced to the UK in 2016 and their numbers in Britain are growing.

As of June, there have been 24 sightings of Asian hornets that have been confirmed by lab tests. Meanwhile, according to the National Bee Unit, 39 “credible” sightings have been reported so far this year and there are others are awaiting confirmation.

READ MORE: Asian hornets 'here to stay' in UK - how to keep them out of your garden

All you need is peppermint oil and a spray bottle. Clancy Bros Pest Control writes: “You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and use it to spray areas.”

Peppermint repels hornets due to its strong, pungent scent, which disrupts their sense of smell on account of naturally occurring compounds like menthol and menthone. This is believed to lead them to avoid certain areas.

However, if you’re not a massive fan of the smell of peppermint, there are some other viable options. They suggest: “Cinnamon and cloves are effective in keeping wasps and hornets away as well.”

Asian hornets are on the rise in the UK

New data suggests that their numbers are increasing. At this point in 2025, there have been 20 sightings of Asian hornets, compared to the same stage in 2023, where there had been just four.

The vast majority of recent sightings have been in Kent, though hornets have also been captured in East Sussex and Hampshire. However, one sighting still awaiting lab confirmation was made as far north as Mordon in County Durham.

The National Bee Unit says nine Asian hornet nests have been destroyed already this year. Last year, 24 nests were destroyed, and in 2023, a record 72 hornet nests were destroyed. The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is calling for help from the public to help detect this “highly aggressive predator which causes a significant risk to honey bees and other pollinators in the UK”.

The reason they pose such a cause for concern is because they prey on native pollinators, like bumblebees. In fact, just one Asian hornet is capable of killing and eating between 60 to 90 bumblebees in a day. They can also "hawk" hives at any given moment by killing off all of the bees.

They also pose a threat to humans. These yellow-legged insects are slightly larger than average wasps and pack a vicious sting.

While no more dangerous than a wasp or bee sting, in some cases they can cause symptoms like runny nose, abdominal pain and lip or tongue swelling. Plus, those with allergies to insects should be careful. In the case of a severe reaction, they may go into anaphylactic shock.

How to spot an Asian hornet

While it can be hard to determine if you’ve found an Asian hornet or a regular wasp in your garden, there are some tell-tale signs. Aside from their distinctive yellow legs, Asian hornets have a wide orange stripe on the fourth section of their abdomen, according to the British Beekeepers Association.

The group is now urging everyone to report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app, though a BBKA spokesperson has warned: “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.”