AN URGENT warning has been issued over the invasion of killer giant Asian hornets in Britain.

The yellow-legged insects have taken hold of Jersey, Guernsey and the smaller Channel Islands.

And Francis Russell, the officer behind the Asian Hornet Strategy in Guernsey, has warned they could overwhelm Britain next.

Sightings on the UK mainland are at a record-high with 22 this year alone, which is more than the last six years combined.

Last year, there were only two sightings.

“Due to the arrival of hornets each spring, the annual eradication of hornets is considered the only achievable goal,” he told MailOnline.

“The threats are universal and apply equally across any region in Europe where conditions would allow this insect to successfully colonise. 

“One only has to research the situation in other European countries to see how far they have extended their distribution range since the original (accidental) introduction to France in 2004. 

“According to the published literature, the rate of spread is 75km/year.”

In July it was reported that 10 people needed medical attention after being attacked by the insects in the Channel islands.

The problem has become so dire that residents on the island – which has been dubbed “Britain’s hornet frontline” – have set up a group to keep informed of sightings.

Read Related Also: Costco ‘only looks for single items over a certain figure’ in receipt check – how to tell inspection is ‘waste of time’

In Jersey at least 476 queen wasps have been found from January to July, making it the UK territory with the most reported cases.

Beekeeper Peter Down, from New Romney in Kent, told how killer Asian hornets are destroying his business.

The “biggest Asian Hornet nest” was also found hanging from a ceiling in a Channel Islands home.

The first Asian hornet arrived in Europe in 2004.

A queen was imported into France with some pottery by mistake – since then, the insects have rapidly spread into neighbouring countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK.

In Japan, the insects are said to kill up to 50 people in a year.

There have also been a number of fatalities reported in France.

HOW TO SPOT ASIAN HORNETS

The predators are easily distinguished from other hornets as their legs are black at the top and yellow at the bottom.

Worker Asian hornets tend to reach around 25mm and queens grow to 30mm.

If people come in contact with their lethal sting, it can leave your skin swollen causing a deadly allergic reaction.

To treat a hornet sting you should:

• Wash the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to clean the wound and reduce chance or infection
• Place an icepack or cold compress to reduce any swelling
• Elevate the affected area to reduce the chance of swelling
• Avoid scratching the area to reduce the risk of infection or irritation