Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Asian hornets: "Now is the time to trap the foundresses."

It's not just summer that's slowly creeping up on us. As has been the case for several years, they're also starting to emerge. These are the yellow-legged hornets, more commonly known as Asian hornets. And like every year, the hunt for this pest is on to prevent its proliferation. To do this, there's only one solution: trap the queen bees.

"In the fall, before the first frosts, they go into the wild to hide in a shelter for the winter," explains Jean-Pierre Courbet, former vice-president of the Jura Bee Health Defense Group (GDSA 39), beekeeper in Arsures and bee health technician.

“A trapped founder is one less nest”

Last winter, the foundresses emerge to create a first nest, called a primary nest, "the size of an orange," the beekeeper continues. This is where they are most vulnerable, as they are forced to search for food to feed their larvae. "They form a colony that will serve...