Korean HornetMaster Pro Trap – Velutina & Orientalis

When Vespa velutina or Vespa orientalis begin hovering in front of the hive entrance, the colony reduces foraging and becomes stressed. Simple traps (plastic bottles with an inverted funnel, etc.) work for a few days but saturate quickly: the bait degrades, loses scent, and efficiency drops sharply. The Yasaeng trap is designed to work throughout the entire season thanks to its larger volume, a dual-chamber system that protects the attractant, and a selective escape design that allows honeybees to get out safely.

Real selectivity: why bees escape and hornets do not
The dome includes calibrated slots, but the key is behaviour, not size alone. Apis mellifera has a narrow thorax and, when entering a confined space, its instinct is to move upward toward the light. By circling the dome it easily finds the slot and exits sideways. Vespa velutina and Vespa orientalis, with a wider thorax, cannot rotate their bodies inside the slot and remain trapped in the upper chamber. This is why the trap protects bees without losing effectiveness against hornets.

Liquid attractant + gel: stable release for many days
The Yasaeng trap can work with both liquid attractant in the base and gel beads on the green tray. These beads are superabsorbent polymers that soak up the attractant and release it slowly, preventing sudden drops in scent due to heat or wind. They are optional but highly recommended: they keep the trap performing consistently. Use 10–15 beads per trap; they last 15–20 days and work with any commercial or homemade liquid attractant. Not included.

Dual chamber: the bait stays clean
The design separates the attractant from the area where insects accumulate. Nocturnal moths and other intruders remain in the upper chamber, far from the liquid, preventing contamination or blocked evaporation. This keeps the trap active and efficient for more days.

Also effective against Vespa orientalis
In southern and southeastern Spain, orientalis is becoming a serious threat. This trap captures it just like velutina: it cannot exit through the slots and responds very well to sweet and mixed attractants. With greater volume and more stable emission, the Yasaeng performs better than small conventional traps.

How to use
Preparation is simple: add gravel to the base for weight, place the green tray, pour liquid attractant up to one-third of the base, and spread 10–15 gel beads on the tray (they absorb the liquid automatically once the trap is closed). Fit the central module and screw the dome firmly. Install the trap at hive-entrance height — about 20–25 cm from the ground and 80–120 cm from the hive — with the yellow entry ports parallel to the hive front. This intercepts the hornets' flight path without stimulating the bees.

Maintenance is straightforward: check every 7–10 days, renew the bait if scent is weak or insects accumulate, and ensure the gel beads are still active. To empty trapped hornets, always hold the trap by the base or handle, never by the dome or slots. Remove the dome and submerge it in a bucket of water or place it in the freezer for 10 minutes for safe handling.

Bait control and moth management
A lesser-known advantage of the Yasaeng design is its behaviour with nocturnal moths. In conventional traps, moths flap their wings, shedding scales that form a film over the liquid, blocking evaporation. Here the opposite occurs: moths immediately move upward toward the dome light and remain there. The bait stays clean and active for more days. The entrance funnel also prevents larger moths from entering, further reducing interference.

Optimised scent diffusion
The funnel is placed directly above the attractant reservoir, so the scent exits exactly where velutina and orientalis must enter. A small but effective design detail that accelerates aroma dispersion. A practical trick recommended by the manufacturer is to gently shake the trap every two or three days to reactivate scent release, especially during hot or dry weather.

Specifications
Manufacturer: Yasaeng Co., Ltd (South Korea)
Patent: PCT/KR2016/011319
UV-resistant, weather-proof materials
Dimensions: 260 × 260 × 400 mm
Attractant capacity: 300–500 ml
Modular system: base, tray, central module, selective dome
Attractants and gel beads not included