Washington state has officially eradicated the northern giant hornet, marking the end of a years-long campaign against the invasive species. Officials announced Wednesday that no hornets have been detected since 2021, satisfying the regulatory definition of eradication.
Sven-Erik Spichiger of the Washington State Department of Agriculture described the effort as a major accomplishment. “It is truly amazing what we can do when we unite towards a common goal,” Spichiger said, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the effort.
LOOK: Washington wildlife officials destroy the first nest of the year belonging to hundreds of Asian Giant Hornets, a.k.a. "murder hornets" pic.twitter.com/0yb0Gm73MS
— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) August 27, 2021
The hornet, native to Asia, gained notoriety for its size and nickname, the “murder hornet.” With bodies up to 2 inches long and a dangerous sting, the hornet posed risks to human safety and honeybees essential for pollination.
In 2019, the hornet was first spotted in Whatcom County near the Canadian border. By 2021, four nests had been destroyed, halting its spread. Public participation in trapping and reporting sightings was key to the eradication effort, officials said.
Murder hornets have officially been eradicated from the United States, officials announced earlier today.
FULL STORY: https://t.co/JhNEml0tiP pic.twitter.com/Mmhxxk88UH
— KATV News (@KATVNews) December 19, 2024
Invasive ‘murder hornets’ are wiped out in the U.S., officials sayhttps://t.co/1uPpYq576N pic.twitter.com/up707C5o3O
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 18, 2024
Nicole Russo of the U.S. Department of Agriculture praised the collaboration between state and federal agencies. “We do not always experience this magnitude of support when an invasive pest is discovered,” Russo said, highlighting the significance of the achievement.
Officials warned that the hornet could have become entrenched in the region had action not been taken, creating long-term challenges for Washington’s agricultural industry and ecosystem.
