In the last decade, the Vila Nova de Famalicão Municipal Civil Defence Services (SMPC) have destroyed more than 8,000 nests of the
Vespa Velutina, commonly known as the Asian hornet, which has already involved a municipal investment of around half a million euros.
The work carried out by the municipality to prevent and combat this invasive species and the risks it poses to agricultural production, the environment and the well-being and safety of citizens will set the tone for another edition of Civil Defence Month, which in Famalicão is being marked from this Friday, March 1st (World Civil Defence Day), with various educational activities for schoolchildren throughout the month.
It's worth remembering that since 2017, the Civil Defence Operational Team has been in charge of destroying hornet nests in the municipality. Initially using the incineration method at night and from 2021 through the injection of biocide. With this new procedure, interventions are now carried out during the day, which has made it possible to increase the number of nests treated from a maximum of 10 nests to 20 per day.
A change that, according to the mayor, Mário Passos, "has resulted in a considerable reduction in response times". Currently, he adds, "the majority of requests have been resolved within 24 to 48 hours, except in cases of access difficulties or other impeding circumstances".
It should be noted that the presence of the Vespa Velutina has been recorded since 2011 in the north of the country and since 2014 in Vila Nova de Famalicão. This is a non-indigenous and invasive species of wasp that has a significant impact on beekeeping, as it preys on honeybees. In addition, as it has established itself in urban and peri-urban areas, it represents a concern for public safety as, although it is no more aggressive than the European species, it reacts quite aggressively if it feels its nests are under threat.
In the event of a nest sighting, residents should contact the Municipal Civil Defence Services on 252 317 336 or email protecaocivil@famalicao.pt.
World Civil Defence Day is celebrated every year on March 1st. The date, established by the World Civil Defence Organisation, aims to raise awareness of the importance of Civil Defence in safeguarding human life, property and cultural and environmental heritage in the event of a serious accident or disaster; to pay tribute to all its agents; to promote reflection and dialogue around the risks to which territories and populations are subject; and the role that each of us, citizens, has to play in the collective effort to create communities that are resilient to disasters.