A public, structured and operational tool
Reporting, monitoring and territorial coordination of the Asian hornet.
A structured citizen-led initiative
Reporting, monitoring and coordination — close to field realities.
Vespa Alert™ Belgium is a citizen-led initiative dedicated to reporting, monitoring and understanding the presence of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in Belgium.
Our goal is to provide a clear entry point for the general public and to facilitate the flow of information between citizens, beekeepers, volunteers, professionals and public authorities, in order to improve the effectiveness of actions carried out in the field.
In practical terms, Vespa Alert makes it possible to centralise reports, monitor nest evolution, consult public maps and support coordination at local, municipal and national level.
How the project was born
Centralise, structure, collaborate — from the very beginning.
The Vespa Alert Belgium project is a citizen-led initiative launched by Maxime Dartois, a soil pollution expert and environmental professional involved in environmental issues and risk management.
Confronted with the concrete impacts of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in the field — particularly around apiaries — he quickly identified fragmented information: scattered reports, heterogeneous tools depending on the municipality, no overall view and a lack of continuity in nest follow-up.
With the aim of developing a pragmatic response aligned with operational realities, he contacted several active field groups, including the Vespa Hunters. Their feedback helped structure a field-use approach, prioritising concrete, simple and directly operational features.
• centralise data
• structure information so it can be used effectively
• facilitate collaboration between citizens, beekeepers, volunteers, professionals and public authorities
The platform is part of a public-interest approach. The collected data is not intended for commercial purposes. It is used exclusively to strengthen knowledge, monitoring and management of the Asian hornet in Belgium.
As part of a contribution to naturalist knowledge, some data may be transmitted anonymously to the observations.be platform. This approach supports scientific monitoring and improves understanding of the species’ spread dynamics.
The platform is designed for several audiences:
- Citizens: report a nest, declare a trap and consult public maps.
- Beekeepers and volunteers: contribute to field observations and seasonal monitoring.
- Professionals: structure information useful for interventions.
- Municipalities and institutions: coordinate, monitor, validate and analyse reports.
Public use of Vespa Alert is free: nest reporting, trap declaration, consultation of public maps and entry of monitoring records. Only the institutional area is a paid service, reserved for municipalities, institutions and competent authorities involved in Asian hornet management and public-safety issues.
This restricted access allows non-public information to be consulted and processed, including monitoring data, precise locations, contact details and operational management information. It is therefore governed to meet confidentiality, security and personal-data protection requirements.
Data is used for territorial monitoring, coordination and improving field knowledge. Sensitive information is not displayed publicly, and any transmission to third parties is carried out within a controlled framework.
Vespa Alert operates independently from commercial pest-control operators. The platform does not favour any contractor and aims solely to structure information, improve monitoring and facilitate coordination of actions.
Vespa Alert is not an emergency service, not a pest-control company and not a public authority. The platform centralises reports, facilitates monitoring and directs information towards the relevant stakeholders.
An evolving platform
Continuous improvement, field feedback and perspectives.
Vespa Alert Belgium is not a static tool. The platform evolves to adapt to field realities, expressed needs and regional frameworks. Feedback from users and partners guides improvements.
Strengthen coordination, improve seasonal monitoring, consolidate exports and traceability, and develop useful features for municipalities and professional stakeholders without losing simplicity for citizens.
One of Vespa Alert’s key objectives is to standardise reports and associated data, so that information becomes comparable, usable and useful at territorial level.
Vespa Alert™ is a registered word mark filed with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP). Any reproduction, use or imitation without authorisation is prohibited.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Does Vespa Alert neutralise nests?
No. The platform facilitates reporting, monitoring and coordination with the relevant stakeholders.
Who can use Vespa Alert?
Citizens, volunteers, beekeepers, professionals, municipalities and institutions can use the platform according to their needs.
Is it free to use?
Public features are available free of charge. The institutional area is reserved for municipalities and competent organisations.