Entrance Barrier against Asian hornets (Vespa velutina & orientalis)

On late summer days, hornets can be relentless at the hive entrance. You see them hovering, waiting to ambush returning foragers loaded with nectar and pollen. The guards tire quickly, the colony becomes stressed, and honey inflow drops. Traditional mesh screens or green reducers often confuse bees more than hornets. A smarter solution was needed.

This is where the Ornetin® barrier comes in. Instead of a single vulnerable opening, it provides multiple laser-cut slots of 5 mm. That size is no accident: the thorax of Vespa velutina or orientalis cannot pass, while bees cross easily. Hornets, unable to enter, often end up trapped in nearby devices.

With a total entrance length of 130 cm—ten times that of a standard reducer—traffic spreads over many directions. Bees don’t queue, they move smoothly, and interceptions become very difficult. The result: a calmer entrance, less work for guards, and colonies that keep their rhythm.

The clear plexiglass front lets light in and allows you to observe the entrance, while the natural wood frame integrates perfectly in the yard. Designed to compensate small hive irregularities, it installs in 10 minutes with a single screw. Delivered flat-pack with pre-cut panels, screws, and illustrated guide for quick assembly.

Practical tips
• Install late June, ideally in the morning so bees can reorient.
• Bees take a few hours to adapt.
• To clean, lift and shake gently.
• Remove in November, unless you prefer to keep the warmer winter entrance.

Versions available
• Dadant-Nicot (MUNI): fits Nicot bottoms with green reducer.
• Dadant-Adapt (MUDY): adjustable sides to trim for any bottom board.

Technical specifications
• Compatibility: standard Dadant hives.
• Dimensions: width 420 mm, height 135 mm, depth 160 mm.
• Materials: untreated natural wood, transparent plexiglass, zinc-coated hardware.
• Assembly: flat-pack kit, ~10 min assembly.

With Ornetin® you go beyond a quick fix and give your bees a real tactical defense against hornets. Durable, ecological, and locally made by beekeepers in the Pyrenees who know this challenge firsthand.