The Asian giant hornet, after five years of attacking Washington ecosystems, has been declared eradicated from the state, according to the Washington Department of Agriculture. The hornet managed to set-up around five nests, located around Whatcom County; however, with the help of state officials, landowners and citizen scientists, the hornet is no longer in Washington.
December 18, 2024
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Asian giant hornet officially eradicated in Washington
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture has announced the successful eradication of the northern giant hornet, a five-year effort involving state officials, local landowners, beekeepers and citizen scientists. The group effort eliminated the invasive species from the state when it could have spread from the northwestern corner of the Evergreen State to the rest of the region. “It is a rare day when the humans actually get to win one against the insects,” the Pest Program Manager at WSDA Sven-Erik Spichiger said.