Killer Asian hornets could become more aggressive - with nests being blown from trees in strong winds, experts warn.<br /><br />Fears of a fresh 'ground offensive' have been heightened with gales and heavy gusts forecast this week.<br /><br />Experts say the insects often build nests in trees - but they could be knocked down in the winds and become extra aggressive if disturbed.<br /><br />The warning comes after Brits were told they were 'ill-prepared' for the 'inevitable' full-scale invasion of the hornet that has already conquered parts of Europe.<br /><br />Its impact could be devastating for the native bee population while people have also died as a result of stings on the continent.<br /><br />Currently Kent is facing the biggest threat with dozens of nests already been discovered this season - dwarfing any previous year.<br /><br />But for many years the Channel Islands has been Britain's frontline to try and thwart a mainland invasion.<br /><br />Jersey Asian Hornet Group volunteer John de Carteret said with near-gale force winds forecast his week, more nests could be found on the ground.<br /><br />He said: "With the change in the weather and high winds and rain it is possible that nests – in trees in particular – could become dislodged, as they are exposed.<br /><br />"What tends to happen is that branches will knock into another and strike a nest down, certainly that’s happened during strong winds previously."<br /><br />The public are being warned to stay as far away as possible from a suspected Asian Hornet and report it to the authorities straight away.<br /><br />So far in Jersey this year a record 247 nests have been discovered, compared to 174 found during the whole of 2022.<br /><br />The species began to spread through Europe in 2004 after arriving in the south of France inside a freight ship.<br /><br />They were was spotted in the British Isles on the Channel Island of Jersey in late 2016.<br /><br />But after years of establishing themselves on Jersey and Guernsey, the battleground shifted last year to Southern England.<br /><br />This led to calls for a "people's army" to help fight off an impending invasion of killer hornets onto mainland Britain.<br /><br />The hornets are able to kill with one sting among people who have an allergy, while they also pose a threat to the environment and native species.<br /><br />One hornet can also eat 50 bees in a day.
