Malta has recently seen an dramatic increase in the hornet species ‘Vespa Orientalis’, which in Maltese is known as ‘Bagħal taż-Żunżan’ and in our latest interview, Arnold Sciberras breaks down this species’ effect on local biodiversity and how it is handled by The Exterminator.
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Sciberras highlighted that the difference in these hornets, which are hymenoptera, is that as a species they are aggressive, new additions the Maltese ecosystem and dangerous to both humans and biodiversity around them. Such hornets are also significantly affecting apiculture, which is the cultivation of bees.
The man behind The Exterminator brand revealed that hornets are considered pests because they have a tendency of living in man-made structures whilst also opportunistically consuming human waste such as cat food, litter and others. Additionally, due to the hornets’ aggressive nature, a human entering their area is very much at risk of being attacked.
Hornets are dangerous due to their desire to protect their nourishment and hive. The sting is dangerous and fairly potent compared to stings from others bees and wasps and its effect depends on the vulnerability of the person on the receiving end. Sciberras held that children and elderly individuals are most vulnerable, with certain cases of hornet stings leading to hospitalisations or worse.
Due to hornets seeking man-made structures like Malta’s Ħajt tas-Sejjieħ, brick-wall blocks, air conditioning vents and more. Small colonies often go unnoticed but they may grow to extents where individuals become “prisoners in their own homes”, Sciberras stated before recalling a case where they had to exterminate the nest to allow individuals to leave their homes. Oftentimes, hornets nests are exterminated via a vast range of methodologies and machinery and conducted by industry professionals.
Have you seen a hornets’ nest recently?
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