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HomeSourcesmirror.co.ukFirefighters deploy 104ft crane after Asian hornet nest discovered in tree plagues...

Firefighters deploy 104ft crane after Asian hornet nest discovered in tree plagues town

The nest, which is the largest ever recorded on the Channel island of Guernsey, was found near a set of bathing pools, resulting in a whole road having to be closed off to vehicles and pedestrians

Firefighters had to use a 104-foot crane to remove a massive Asian hornet nest discovered on top of a tree in Guernsey last week.

Specialist teams managed to track down the nest using “strategically placed bait stations”, following reports of the insects plaguing a nearby town. The Fire and Rescue Service then deployed their largest turntable ladder, which can extend 32m above ground level. The nest, which is the largest ever recorded on the Channel island, was found near a set of bathing pools in La Vallette, resulting in a whole road having to be closed off to vehicles and pedestrians. Francis Russell, Asian Hornet Strategy Coordinator, said: “We’re very grateful for the professional support we received from the GFRS and Civil Protection.

“Without their help and expertise, we wouldn’t have been able to access this nest to safely remove it. Since August, we have found nine nests and removed five. Plans are underway to deal with the remaining nests where locations have made this particularly challenging. As autumn approaches, the race is on to remove all the Asian hornet nests across the island.

“If nests remain in place and are not dealt with as a matter of urgency, the production of a new generation of queens will be triggered, with a large secondary nest capable of producing as many as 300-500 queens. These would then hibernate on the island over the winter causing further problems for the following year.”

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