12. August 2025|
AI
|4 months agoNovel Anti-Hornet Defense Systems Tested in Swiss Apiaries
Scientists trial innovative electric harps and protective muzzles on beehives in Jura canton to combat invasive Asian hornets threatening local bee populations.
AI
Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
AI
- Scientists are testing electric harps and protective muzzles on beehives in Cornol, canton Jura, to combat invasive Asian hornets.
- The project is a collaboration between the International Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences (CABI) and the Fondation rurale interjurassienne (FRI).
- Electric harps use alternating positive and negative wires to electrocute Asian hornets, while being safe for bees.
- Protective muzzles are fences placed at hive entrances to prevent hornets from hunting bees, reducing stress on the colony.
- This is the first scientific trial of its kind to be conducted in Switzerland.
By The Numbers
9
beehives in Cornol are part of the initial trial
18
beehives in total are being tested across the Jura canton
hundreds
of Asian hornets killed per day by electric harps in France and Spain
They Said
"As part of a scientific project, we want to measure the effect of these different devices on the health of the bees, but also to see what impact they have on native species."
"The aim is to have real quantitative and qualitative data, showing whether one or other measure makes sense, so that we can make recommendations."