One of UK's biggest Asian hornet nests found in Southampton

Bee experts and climbers were called in on Tuesday to deal with the large nest that had been located in a tree at The Old Cemetery - described as one of the biggest found in the UK this year.

The discovery came days after a photo of a hornet was first uploaded to the Asian Hornet Watch app, alerting experts.

Researchers then used bait to trap the killer "apex" predators and track them back to the nest, injecting it with poison and removing it. 

But now, Alan Baxter, Asian Hornet Coordinator for Hampshire has warned residents that more of the insects could still be at the Common, giving advice on what to do if attacked. 

He said: "Yesterday it was good to see our operation in action. It was one of the biggest (nests) which suggests it was quite a well-established colony.

Asian Hornets nest removed at The Old Cemetery near Southampton Common. (Image: Alan Baxter)

"It was about 75 cm across. The National Bee unit has left a monitoring station there.

"We hope for the best and expect the worst so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more but that is purely speculation. If it is a homegrown one then we have got a problem on.

"If you do see one walk away quickly. Don’t stop and look at it.

"If you see a nest take a photo with your mobile phone. In the unlikely event that you are attacked, cover your head and run."

He has now urged people to download the Asian Hornet App which can be used to quickly alert experts to the location of the pests.

The hornets will eat other insects and impact the nearby wildlife and environment.

They are a significant threat to bee populations.

Described as 'Apex predators', they will sting multiple times, unlike other similar bugs, and inject their poison around 3.5mm into the flesh. 

Asian hornet nest removed at The Old Cemetery near Southampton Common. (Image: Alan Baxter)

Alan added that there are thousands in Europe after they initially came over from areas such as China with multiple reported deaths in the past. 

People with underlying health conditions or the young and elderly are particularly vulnerable. 

The bee expert added: "There were 72 nests found and destroyed last year in the UK. This year so far there have been 18.

"They come in as hitchhikers. There are thousands of them all over Europe.

"Here in Hampshire, we have the Hampshire Asian Hornet Contingency Plan which I wrote.

"We consider ourselves to be quite well prepared. Over the UK we have a network of 2,500 beekeepers. We have got a very good network."

Asian hornet nest removed at The Old Cemetery near Southampton Common. (Image: Alan Baxter)

The Southampton nest was located in a tree around 20 metres up and was brought down by cutting through the branch it was reading on. 

It has since been bagged up and sent off to a laboratory to find out how long it had been there and if there could be more in the area. 

It follows similar discoveries in Totton, Gosport and Portsmouth in the past few years. 

Anyone who spots an Asian Hornet can contact Alan by calling 0747 896 1517 or by emailing: alanbaxter@me.com