How to Raise Hornets? A Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Key Technical Points

Hornet larvae have high protein content and low fat content, making them a rare natural delicacy that is loved by a large number of consumers. This market demand has prompted hornet breeding to gradually develop as well. How exactly should hornets be raised?

How to Raise Hornets

1. Before breeding hornets, preparatory work must be done well. First make the hornet cages, hornet sheds, and hornet boxes for raising hornets. At the same time, anti-sting suits must also be prepared.

2. The hornet cage can be made of wood or iron wire gauze, with a volume of about 0.03-0.04 cubic meters, so that they have ample room for movement.

3. The size of the hornet shed depends on how many nests are to be harvested. Large glass greenhouses, large factory buildings, or specially built hornet breeding sheds can be used. The hornet shed uses iron or wood as supports and iron window gauze as enclosing netting. The general area is about 100 sq m, with a height of 2 m. Inside the shed, crops such as corn, soybeans, and cotton that insects can easily access for survival are planted. One side of the shed is left with a gauze door. Small plates containing feed such as honey water, fruit, and melon rind should be hung inside the shed so that the hornets can feed and move freely after being placed inside. Gauze windows are hung around, and a movable door is left on one side.

4. As for the hornet box, it is made of wood, with thin wooden boards used for the top and bottom, hooks installed on the cover, gauze windows hung around, and a movable door left on one side. Hollow wood can also be used to make the hornet box.

5. Hornets can be introduced by oneself. Every year in September and October, go to places where hornets are found to catch them. Hornets obtained this way are easily injured, and it is also relatively dangerous. It is best to collect bee species from specialized breeding farms. When selecting hornets, observe the worker hornets' entry and exit conditions and the proportion of pollen collected from the nest entrance, then open the box door to see whether their reaction is relatively fierce or gentle. Next, observe the condition of the queen, whether the egg-laying capacity meets the standard, and finally observe the arrangement of the hornet colony, selecting the best colony for rearing.

6. Hornet breeding methods are mainly divided into two types. One is to raise hornets in artificially built mesh greenhouses. The other is to raise them artificially until the female hornets build nests, and then move them to the wild for free-range rearing. You can choose according to your own actual situation.

7. Protect female seed hornets in winter so they safely pass through winter, and in spring guide them to build nests early and build more nests. There are many kinds of natural enemies that harm hornets. Species such as the yellow-tailed nest moth, birds, spiders, and mice can all pose a fatal threat to hornets, so more precautions should be taken.

During the hornet breeding process, pay attention to protecting yourself and do not get stung by them.