Officials announce eradication of 'murder hornet' in Washington
There’s good news for people worried that the so-called “murder hornet” could migrate to their neighborhood. Officials have announced that the northern giant hornet, an invasive predator that threatened to decimate bee populations, has been eradicated from Washington State.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) declared the successful eradication after five years of intensive effort.
First detected in 2019 near Blaine, Washington, the giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” drew national attention due to its ability to quickly destroy honeybee colonies.
APHIS played a crucial role by providing funding, personnel, and scientific expertise, including sharing advanced tracking technology used to locate the hornets' nests. Citizen scientists and residents also contributed significantly by reporting sightings and monitoring traps.
Between 2020 and 2021, officials eradicated four hornet nests, often under challenging conditions.
Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected sightings to agricultural officials.