Muzzle against Asian Hornets - Ornetin
Please note: Shipping delays for this product are currently around 15 days. Orders are processed strictly in the order they are received. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Protect your hives with a smarter defense
Shipping may take a little longer than usual for this product. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
We designed the Ornetin Muzzle® to counter the growing threat of Vespa velutina (Asian hornets), while addressing the common flaws found in conventional muzzles.
Unlike net-based systems that confuse bees and are eventually outsmarted by hornets, our design features multiple precisely calibrated entrances with a total effective lenght of 130cm — 10x longer than the classic green Nicot reducer — allowing bees to enter and exit rapidly from multiple directions, making it extremely difficult for hornets to intercept them.
Each entrance is laser-cut to 5 mm, narrow enough to block hornets while letting your bees pass safely. Unable to enter, hornets grow desperate and often end up caught in an adjacent Ornetin trap.
Crafted from natural wood and transparent plexiglass, the muzzle ensures:
- Lightens the guard bees’ workload and calms the entire colony
- Unhindered bee movement in the safe zone
- Ensures smooth and confusion-free circulation for returning foragers
The design has been carefully engineered to maintain performance even with imperfect hive geometries — accommodating body-to-bottom misalignments and irregularities in the hive’s front face.
⚠ Check your compatibility before ordering.
Available versions:
-
Dadant-Nicot (MUNI) → specifically designed to fit Nicot bottom boards.
-
Dadant-Adapt (MUDY) → supplied with adjustable sides that you can trim to match the dimensions of any bottom board.
The Ornetin Muzzle® is a durable, eco-conscious, and locally produced solution by the BroodMinder Team in France. Combine it with our Ornetin UV® trap for a complete defense system against hornet attacks.
Included
The Ornetin Muzzle comes as a self-assembly kit. It includes pre-cut natural wood panels, a transparent plexiglass front, and all necessary hardware for quick setup with basic tools.
Kit contents:
- 1 Ornetin Muzzle (flat-packed)
- All required screws
- Assembly video link
Equipping multiple hives? Multi-packs are available.
Specifications
Hive Compatibility:
Designed for standard Dadant hives with bottom Nicot boards (with green reducer installed).
Do you have a different hive configuration? Let us know — we may be able to produce a custom version for your needs.
Dimensions:
- Width: 420 mm
- Height: 135 mm
- Depth: 160 mm
Materials:
- Untreated natural wood
- Transparent plexiglass
- Zinc-coated fittings
Maintenance Tips:
Can be painted or oiled for improved weather protection and visual appeal.
Installation
Assembly:
Delivered flat-packed for easy DIY assembly.
- Includes all screws and illustrated instructions
- Estimated build time: ~10 minutes
Mounting on the hive:
We’ve designed installation to be as simple as possible — a single screw secures the entire unit to the hive.
Deployment period:
Install at the end of June, when hornet activity begins.
- Preferably place it in the morning so bees can reorient during their first flight.
- Bees may take a few hours to adapt to the new “king-size” entrance.
Maintenance during the season:
- Occasionally, bees may leave debris inside. To clean, lift the muzzle slightly and gently shake — debris will fall easily.
- Remove the device by late November, unless you prefer to keep the entrance warmer over winter.
- Optional: Paint wooden parts to match hive aesthetics and improve durability.