Warmer climate brings invasive pests to Amsterdam

A warmer climate is helping invasive hornets and mosquitoes spread, and giving some native pests a boost.

Jurn Vendrik, who manages the city’s pest control, said on 24 June that he expects about 200 yellow-legged hornet nests this year, seven times last year’s number.

Each nest can hold several thousand hornets in summer, together catching some 100,000 insects including wasps, flies, wild bees and bumblebees.

Hornets and other city pests

The hornet, which feeds honeybees to its larvae, ranks third on Amsterdam’s list of nuisance pests.

Experts have validated 21 hornet sightings in the Oostelijke Eilanden.

The native oak processionary caterpillar was found on 29% of the city’s oaks this year, up from about 4% in 2024.

North Holland, which has removed every reported nest since 2024, will now remove only those that endanger people or nature.

The city says residents can help by learning to recognise the hornets and their nests and reporting them early.

Tiger mosquitoes

The Asian tiger mosquito has not yet been recorded in the Oostelijke Eilanden, but was found in Aalsmeer and Amsterdam Zuidoost in 2022.

The NVWA then advised residents to clear standing water from gardens, terraces and gutters, where the mosquitoes breed.

Source: Oost Online