Mild winters and no predators: a recipe for disaster
The oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) is an invasive species that has become a real and tangible threat on the Costa del Sol. Its spread in recent years has been remarkable, almost exponential, and the mild winters mean they barely hibernate, so these hornets stay active all year round.
There is no need to panic, unless you are a beekeeper.
They are fairly calm as long as they don’t see you as a threat to the nest.
There were already wasps before this invasive species arrived, some of a very similar size. So no special measures need to be taken. The main danger for people is that these hornets nest low down and even in the ground, which could lead to an unexpected and dangerous encounter.
If you find a nest very close to you, move away slowly to a safe place.
If the nest is on public land, report it to your local council; if, on the other hand, it is on your property, count on RapiPlaga for safe removal. We have qualified staff with the right protective equipment, and we offer a guarantee on our services: if the nest is not completely eradicated or you get another nest within the following 6 months, we will remove it again at no extra cost, at a fixed price.
Can they be prevented?
The spread of this species, which has found an ideal home in our area thanks to the climate and the absence of predators, suggests that this problem is here to stay. But here are some tips that can help.
Don’t leave food outside and clean up barbecue leftovers as soon as you finish.
Stop them getting access to fresh water: dripping showers, air-conditioning drains, etc. If you have a pool, putting a cover on it or converting it to salt water also helps, and has other advantages too.
How does RapiPlaga get rid of wasps and hornets?
To be as effective as possible, we treat wasps and hornets before dawn or after sunset.
We do this so that all of them are in the nest; treating at midday will only kill a small group, as most will be out looking for food and water. When they come back they will be especially aggressive and are very likely to rebuild the nest.
We use authorised biocides designed specifically for this purpose, which we can apply with poles that reach more than 8 metres high.
Our staff are highly qualified and very experienced, so if you need us, don’t hesitate: count on RapiPlaga, fast and effective
At your service 365 days a year.
Beekeepers?
If you are a beekeeper and have read this far, I understand that you are worried, and with good reason.
We recommend trapping queens, finding out about electric harps and putting them in place as soon as possible.
At RapiPlaga we would be delighted to organise training talks and workshops where we can share our knowledge and build a network of collaboration.
