The ultimate tool for successful tracking and monitoring
Successful tracking and monitoring begin with a good trap. Not just a simple pot filled with bait, but a thoughtful design that makes the entire process faster, more enjoyable and more efficient, for both the researcher and the hornet.
Why a different trap?
Classic shaking pots work, but they have drawbacks. Hornets get in each other's way at the drinking point, European hornets chase away Asian hornets, and capturing or marking an individual requires patience you don't always have during a search operation.
DroneBee traps solve this. With 12 drinking points, multiple hornets can drink simultaneously and without disturbing each other. This has a direct consequence: Asian hornets are less chased by competing species, the desired individual calms down more quickly, and capturing or marking goes much more easily. Because the hornet's field of vision narrows while it drinks, you have precisely that moment to strike.
They are not intended to stay in place for weeks, but for daily use during a search operation. Fill them with the classic mixture: equal parts white wine, sugar or fragrant grenadine and a strong fruity or dark beer.
Different models
DroneBee offers several versions, each for a specific situation.
The basic version is the entry-level model for daily use at the hive or anywhere Asian hornets are active.
The hanging version allows you to easily attach the trap to a tree or branch, ideal when working on site without a fixed surface.
The magnet version is specially designed for retrieving transmitters. When a hornet equipped with a transmitter returns to the trap, it remains suspended on one of six magnets. This way, you recover the transmitter without having to recapture or disturb the hornet. You don't even need to be present: placing a magnet trap for the night and retrieving the transmitter in the morning is entirely possible.
The all-in-one multitool is the most versatile model. With this single device, you can retrieve the VFT80, recapture the VFT110 and VFT160 via magnets, and mark hornets for identification and timing measurement. Everything you need for a complete search operation is found in a single tool.
The key to success
Larger quantities of bait
Do you want to stay longer without refilling? Some of our traps are compatible with larger bottles such as cream or milk bottles. The multitool and newer models are also available in a version with a larger connector, specially for larger pots.
Callaert Method
DroneBee traps were developed as part of the Callaert method, the proven approach for tracking, marking and monitoring Asian hornets. All stages of this method, from selecting the right individual to attaching and retrieving the transmitter, are adapted to these traps. You will find more information about the complete method elsewhere on our website.
Open source design
Members of our site can also use the model to work for an association or project. To do this, we provide the files of one of our models so that everyone can succeed in tracking and monitoring in the best way possible!
By doing so, we want to move from monitoring spring traps by the general public to research with traps. Better 1 hornet on the trap than 10 in the cage.