Everyone can purchase LOCNEST kits. The goal is for the equipment to be distributable and widely distributed, making it accessible to everyone who wants it.

However, be aware that the condition is that the buyer must fully understand the known limitations of the system, its challenges, what we can do, and what we cannot yet do. We have moved beyond the DIY phase, but some tools still need to be dedicated or simplified.

Finally, Intuite does not aim to grow larger, and in case of production capacity limitations, priority will be given to loyal customers first, followed by a first-come, first-served basis. :).

First and foremost, the goal is to have equipment that works (locates nests) and is accessible to as many people as possible.

But let's be clear, the ambition is not to eradicate the Asian hornet from France and Europe. The goal is to create zones where the presence of the Asian hornet is significantly reduced.

For a beekeeper, this will translate into the ability to clear the area around their hives for the current year to ensure honey production and save the colonies.

We can hope for an impact on the density in the long run, but nothing is certain.

Finally, we will be able to understand the Asian hornet "more precisely": its habits, flights, behavior, and so on.

To achieve this, it's not necessary to have a very high success rate: with 33%, I think that would be sufficient, and 50% would be great. This would mean that in 3 or even 2 attempts (and perhaps fewer chips if we can retrieve them), we would be able to find the nest. Depending on the number of nests in the vicinity (and it seems that ultimately not so many different nests attack a single apiary), the cost relative to the benefit will become much more manageable. Thus, the need for transmitters will be high, and their cost will become even lower due to economies of scale, making the cost even more acceptable, and so on. It will become a consumable item (and moreover, a reusable one!). 

The target success rate is 50%. If we do better, we won't deprive ourselves of that. As explained just above in "What is the ambition," I think that 33% would be sufficient. We are currently at 15%, and there are already many avenues for improvement, both technical and concerning the overall protocol.

es, there are many, and many more to come. Indeed, Intuite's role will be not only to distribute equipment but also to share the knowledge acquired by a community of handpicked trackers. And we all have the same goal in mind: to make the magic happen.

For what has already been identified, here are some points:

• Lightening the transmitter (again and yes ;))
• Significant increase in range and emission duration through a slight increase in weight (could prove beneficial if the hornet flies well, along with better hornet selection, feeding, and other factors).
• Other methods of handling the animal: This includes techniques for inducing dormancy or attaching the transmitter, feeding, and stimulating the return to the nest (using pheromones, other food, or mutilation).
• Pre-location tracking technique
• etc.

Here is a crucial question: beekeepers are expecting strong action from local authorities to help them fight against the Asian hornet, which is decimating their colonies and threatening the sustainability of their activity—especially in urban and peri-urban areas. While this represents a certain short-term cost for beekeepers, it could lead to a much greater cost for the community in the future if we lose our hives!

Intuite aims to offer a price point acceptable to all by manufacturing its own electronic chips and including nest destruction in its service—for a few hundred euros.

It is up to us to define a solution that is fair and feasible for everyone: partial financial support from local authorities would help launch this initiative and allow for full-scale testing and evaluation.

Today, many entities contribute to the maintenance of hives in urban and peri-urban areas through beekeeper associations—but with no return on investment.

If the nest is on public property (a park, garden, roadside, or riverbank), the town hall is responsible for its removal. You simply need to call and report the nest, and the process generally goes smoothly.

If the nest is on private property, the owner is responsible for its removal. If they fail to do so, they are legally liable for any damage caused by the hornets. By explaining this to them, most of the time they will take action. To find out who the property owner is: go to https://www.cadastre.gouv.fr/, retrieve the parcel number, and call the town hall of the relevant municipality to get the owner's contact details. In some towns, the cost of the operation is partially or fully covered.

Asian hornets tend to seek sheltered areas to build their primary nests, significantly increasing their proximity to inhabited zones.

They also appear to be more aggressive than their European counterparts.

Finally, they are much more carnivorous. By the end of summer, they begin harassing hives relentlessly, sometimes wiping them out entirely.

Intuite is based in Toulouse, France. Intuite distributes its products and services nationwide.