The ultimate tool for successful spotting and radio-tracking
Successful spotting and radio-tracking begins with a good lure pot. Not just any pot with bait, but a thoughtful design that makes the whole process faster, more pleasant and more efficient, for both the searcher and the hornet.
Why a different lure pot?
Classic fluttering pots work, but they have drawbacks. Hornets disturb each other at the drinking place, European hornets chase away Asian ones, and catching or marking an individual requires patience you don't always have during a search operation.
The DroneBee lure pots solve that. With 12 drinking places, multiple hornets can drink simultaneously and undisturbed. That has a direct consequence: Asian hornets are less chased away by competing species, the desired individual calms down faster, and catching or marking goes much more smoothly. Because the hornet's field of vision narrows while drinking, you have exactly that moment to strike.
They are not intended to hang 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 different versions, each for a specific situation.
The basic version is the entry-level model for daily use at the beehive or at any location where Asian hornets are active.
The hanging version allows you to easily attach the lure pot to a tree or branch, ideal when working on site without a fixed surface.
The magnet version is specifically designed for transmitter recovery. When a radio-tracked hornet returns to the lure pot, it remains attached to one of the six magnets. This allows you to recover the transmitter without having to catch or disturb the hornet again. You don't even need to be present: placing a magnet lure pot for the night and retrieving the transmitter in the morning is perfectly possible.
The all-in-one multitool is the most versatile model. With this single device you can recover the VFT80, recapture the VFT110 and VFT160 via magnets, and mark hornets for identification and timing. Everything you need for a complete search operation is in one tool.
The key to success
Larger quantities of lure
Want to work longer on site without refilling? Some of our lure pots 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 connection, especially for larger pots.
Callaert method
The DroneBee lure pots were developed as part of the Callaert method, the proven approach for spotting, marking and radio-tracking Asian hornets. All steps in that method, from selecting the right individual to transmitter attachment and recovery, are tailored to these lure pots. More information about the complete method can be found further on our website.
Open source design
Members of our website can also use the model to get started for an association or project. For this purpose, we provide the files of one of our models so that everyone can spot and radio-track successfully in the best possible way!
With this we want to make the transition from monitoring spring traps by the general population to searching with lure pots. Better 1 hornet on the lure pot than 10 in the trap.