The cost of controlling Asian hornets in Jersey is expected to reach £90,000 this year – taking the total for 2024 to 2026 to approximately £235,000.
The forecast represents an increase from approximately £71,000 in 2024 and £74,000 in 2025, as rising nest numbers put pressure on government staff and resources.
The Environment Minister said more than 800 nests had been identified by early October – 50% more than at the same point last year. Most have been successfully destroyed.
Around 1,000 nests are forecast for 2026, with the Island potentially able to support around 2,000.
Operational spending on contractors, equipment, consumables and volunteer support is expected to reach approximately £45,000 this year, compared with £25,000 in 2024 and £36,000 in 2025.
The remainder of the programme’s costs largely reflects biosecurity officers’ time spent coordinating trapping, handling reports, tracking nests and destroying them.
In response to a question from Deputy Louise Doublet, Senator Mary Le Hegarat explained: “Officer time is likely to be under-recorded due to the exceptional dedication of the officers involved.”
The figures also exclude the contribution of Jersey Asian Hornet Group volunteers, who have donated thousands of hours to trapping, monitoring, tracking and nest destruction.
Two scientific officers are largely focused on hornet work between April and October, reducing capacity for other biosecurity priorities. Seasonal interns are increasingly supporting work such as Japanese knotweed management.
Despite the spending, the Minister said complete eradication had never been considered achievable, given Jersey’s established population, large populations in neighbouring France and the risk of hornets returning naturally.
“It has never been the intention of the programme to eradicate Asian Hornets,” explained Senator Le Hegarat.
Instead, the programme aims to slow their establishment, suppress numbers and reduce harm to wildlife, businesses and public safety.
Fifty sting incidents were reported in 2025, including one confirmed anaphylactic reaction and several hospital attendances. Most followed accidental disturbance of nests.
The Environment Minister warned that rising hornet numbers would increase the likelihood of serious sting incidents and disruption to schools, parks, attractions and businesses.
No formal economic impact assessment has been undertaken, but the answer said long-term management was likely to require additional resources and a more coordinated response across government and other organisations.
