Asian Giant Hornets Invade Washington State

In a year already full of uncertainty due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, we are now faced with a new challenge. The invasive Asian Giant Hornet was first spotted in Washington state last December. No one is certain how these terrifyingly large hornets have made their way to the states. However, it’s possible that they migrated from a colony that was spotted in Canada last year. They can sometimes be transported through cargo from Asia to other parts of the world. They will, unbeknownst to the crew, stow away in shipping crates.

One thing is certain, these giant insects are not to be trifled with. They have been known to invade honey bee hives, ripping the heads off of helpless worker bees and consuming all the larvae inside the hive. A single hornet can kill dozens of honeybees in just a few minutes. Similarly, a group of them can take out an entire hive in the same amount of time. They will kill the adult honeybees and remove the larvae to bring back to their own colony and feed their young. Coming in at 1.5-2” in length, these venomous monsters are considered the world’s largest hornet. They are a serious threat to honeybee populations and other important native pollinators.

In addition, they also pose a threat to humans. Their venom is so powerful that when stung multiple times even someone who is not allergic can have a life threatening reaction. Because of this, they have earned the nickname, “murder hornets.” For now, the threat of their invasion remains in the Northwest corner of the United States. However, make sure to take a look at these important tips below in order to prepare for the inevitable spread of this invasive species.