Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
buymeacoffee.com/HowardsPortugal
Bees are essential to OUR lives - they pollinate almost all your fruits and nuts and many vegetables so anything we can do to protect them is really important - you don't have to be a beekeeper yourself to help!
youtube.com/channel/UC3QktroBFFqgH1bHay63kFQ
🌿 Up in the stunning Serra da Estrela mountains of Portugal, Spring has finally sprung!
More videos here youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL8CJ3rWYGW5jncAHU0IKu_-gmA8oIWbu
In this video, I show how to build a trap to catch Asian Hornets (vespa velutina)
So, why is this wasp a problem?
The Asian hornet is an invasive species in Europe that has caused growing concern, especially due to its impact on honeybees and native biodiversity.
📍 Arrival
2004: First sighting in France, likely introduced via ceramic pots imported from China through the port of Bordeaux.
🌍 Spread
2006–2010: Rapid spread throughout southwestern France.
2010: Reached northern Spain (Basque Country and Navarre).
2011: Detected in Portugal, mainly in the north.
2012–2015: Expanded to Italy and Belgium.
2016: First spotted in the UK (Gloucestershire).
2017–2020: Continued spread into:
Germany
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Luxembourg
🔥 Current Status
Now firmly established in much of Western Europe, with sightings increasing in rural and urban areas.
Expansion is estimated at 60–80 km per year, depending on landscape and climate.
Warm climates, like parts of Portugal, Spain, and southern France, have become ideal breeding grounds.
🐝 Impact
Preys heavily on honeybees, especially at hive entrances.
Can devastate local bee populations, affecting pollination, honey production, and crop yields.
Also a threat to wild pollinators and biodiversity.
We'd like to plant loads more fruit trees going forward, so if you'd like to participate and help us along the way, please do visit this link buymeacoffee.com/HowardsPortugal & of course leave us a note to say who you would like a tree dedicated to!
🔔 SUBSCRIBE & Join me on our journey as we build a new life in rural Portugal, focusing on becoming more self-sufficient and less reliant on stores. We’re trying our hand at farming and growing our own produce while learning about beekeeping and fruit growing in the beautiful Serra da Estrela region. Off-grid living and eco-friendly homesteading are key parts of this adventure, and we're excited to share our experiences with you.
If you'd like to support the channel, why not buy my book, "Diary Of A Psychopath" by Stephen Howard - it's available on Amazon by following this link tinyurl.com/4zknd7uh
People tell me they love it, so why not decide for yourself? Thank you so much!
🔔 JOIN the Channel youtube.com/channel/UC3QktroBFFqgH1bHay63kFQ/join to see our latest videos as they come out and get extra features! Join the community
#HowardsPortugal
After much planning, we sold up in England in 2021 and moved to beautiful rural Portugal to start a new life. Living off the land, becoming more sustainable, and learning new skills has been challenging but deeply rewarding. Homesteading in Portugal isn’t always easy, but it’s been an incredible experience.
Thanks for watching #HowardsPortugal!
Shout-out to all our channel members, subscribers, and viewers—thank you for coming on this journey with us! 🌞
Ever wondered what would happen if you just sold up & moved out?
We did, so we sold up & moved out!
We hope that you enjoy the videos - let us know in the comments!
Twitter @HowardsPortugal
buymeacoffee.com/HowardsPortugal
Bees are essential to OUR lives - they pollinate almost all your fruits and nuts and many vegetables so anything we can do to protect them is really important - you don't have to be a beekeeper yourself to help!
youtube.com/channel/UC3QktroBFFqgH1bHay63kFQ
🌿 Up in the stunning Serra da Estrela mountains of Portugal, Spring has finally sprung!
More videos here youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL8CJ3rWYGW5jncAHU0IKu_-gmA8oIWbu
In this video, I show how to build a trap to catch Asian Hornets (vespa velutina)
So, why is this wasp a problem?
The Asian hornet is an invasive species in Europe that has caused growing concern, especially due to its impact on honeybees and native biodiversity.
📍 Arrival
2004: First sighting in France, likely introduced via ceramic pots imported from China through the port of Bordeaux.
🌍 Spread
2006–2010: Rapid spread throughout southwestern France.
2010: Reached northern Spain (Basque Country and Navarre).
2011: Detected in Portugal, mainly in the north.
2012–2015: Expanded to Italy and Belgium.
2016: First spotted in the UK (Gloucestershire).
2017–2020: Continued spread into:
Germany
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Luxembourg
🔥 Current Status
Now firmly established in much of Western Europe, with sightings increasing in rural and urban areas.
Expansion is estimated at 60–80 km per year, depending on landscape and climate.
Warm climates, like parts of Portugal, Spain, and southern France, have become ideal breeding grounds.
🐝 Impact
Preys heavily on honeybees, especially at hive entrances.
Can devastate local bee populations, affecting pollination, honey production, and crop yields.
Also a threat to wild pollinators and biodiversity.
We'd like to plant loads more fruit trees going forward, so if you'd like to participate and help us along the way, please do visit this link buymeacoffee.com/HowardsPortugal & of course leave us a note to say who you would like a tree dedicated to!
🔔 SUBSCRIBE & Join me on our journey as we build a new life in rural Portugal, focusing on becoming more self-sufficient and less reliant on stores. We’re trying our hand at farming and growing our own produce while learning about beekeeping and fruit growing in the beautiful Serra da Estrela region. Off-grid living and eco-friendly homesteading are key parts of this adventure, and we're excited to share our experiences with you.
If you'd like to support the channel, why not buy my book, "Diary Of A Psychopath" by Stephen Howard - it's available on Amazon by following this link tinyurl.com/4zknd7uh
People tell me they love it, so why not decide for yourself? Thank you so much!
🔔 JOIN the Channel youtube.com/channel/UC3QktroBFFqgH1bHay63kFQ/join to see our latest videos as they come out and get extra features! Join the community
#HowardsPortugal
After much planning, we sold up in England in 2021 and moved to beautiful rural Portugal to start a new life. Living off the land, becoming more sustainable, and learning new skills has been challenging but deeply rewarding. Homesteading in Portugal isn’t always easy, but it’s been an incredible experience.
Thanks for watching #HowardsPortugal!
Shout-out to all our channel members, subscribers, and viewers—thank you for coming on this journey with us! 🌞
Ever wondered what would happen if you just sold up & moved out?
We did, so we sold up & moved out!
We hope that you enjoy the videos - let us know in the comments!
Twitter @HowardsPortugal
