The Consistory of Matosinhos, a city a few kilometers from Porto, is implementing methods “creative and effective” to eliminate wasp nests. An example: the use of compressed air guns with insecticide projectiles.
According to the Portuguese media this approach, “especially useful for reaching nests more than 20 meters high,” complements the “use of carbon rods with electrical systems.” “Both used by municipal Civil Protection services to contain the proliferation of this invasive species.”
“The nests are treated with a specific poison that does not require immediate removal.” So, “This method avoids the occupation of new colonies and allows contaminated wasps to spread the toxic product to other nests, which ultimately end up deteriorating over time.
In addition, for nests that are higher“compressed air rifles become essential, while for more accessible heights, carbon rods inject a combined solution of poison and heated traps, thus eliminating the colony“.
Fighting the Asian hornet
According to the data released by the media, in 2024, 766 alerts were registered in the municipality and 505 nestsof which 488 were neutralized. “The most frequent locations were trees (236 cases), roofs (82), walls (60) and building interiors (46).”
“The municipality has called for the collaboration of the population in the fight against asian hornetrequesting that any sighting be reported to the relevant authorities,” the publication concludes.
