WATCH | Oriental hornets overrunning bee colonies, beekeepers warn

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Beekeepers have raised the alarm over bee colonies being overrun and attacked by Oriental hornets.

Oriental hornets overrunning bee colonies

Videos posted by beekeepers on Facebook show large numbers of hornets swarming beehives, resulting in the deaths of significant numbers of bees.

Oriental hornets are a species native to the Maltese islands and are commonly seen around streets and urban areas searching for food.

As omnivores, they feed on discarded food, carrion and other insects, including bees.

Their impact on beehives has long been a concern for beekeepers across Malta and Gozo, particularly as reports of hornet activity continue to increase.

In 2022, the government launched a financial aid scheme to help beekeepers purchase equipment to trap Oriental hornet queens, as part of efforts to protect and strengthen bee populations.