As you may have heard, Asian giant hornets have been found in Washington State. So far, there are no known sightings of these pests anywhere else in the United States.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture invites the local community to help trap these uninvited and unwelcome pests. WSDA asks that participants set traps at the beginning of July and keep them up through October.
- Note: If you are NOT a resident of Washington State and wish to report a suspected Asian giant hornet sighting, please contact your state’s department of agriculture. WSDA can only assist with reports of suspected sightings in Washington State.
About Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
Washington State is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world with 300 different crops. The state is a leading producer of apples, wheat, potatoes, hops, peas and lentils, asparagus, grapes, berries, stone fruits, and more. Agricultural production, food processing, and trade represent a significant segment of the state’s economy.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture provides services to the agriculture community, by promoting Washington agricultural products and ensuring regulations are observed to ensure food safety and environmental protections. The WSDA works extensively with farmers and ranchers to perform fee-based services to support better compliance with regulations and keep the agricultural economy strong.
The result of WSDA efforts affect not only consumers in Washington State, but everyone who enjoys agricultural crops grown here and shipped across the country and around the globe.
Among their many programs, the WASDA Pest Program helps to protect the state’s resources by preventing the establishment of high-risk invasive insects and other harmful pests, plant diseases, and noxious weeds. Some of their projects include efforts to eradicate such pests as Spartina grass, the gypsy moth, and the Japanese beetle.
Read more about WSDA work on the Washington State Department of Agriculture website.
About bees and wasps
Bees and wasps are common, especially during late summer when they are more active. In nature, stinging insects play a beneficial role, particularly as pollinators, as well as as predators of pest insects. Understanding the basic differences between bees and wasps can help you identify and control potential problems and prevent unwanted stings.
The most commonly seen bees in Washington are the honey bee and bumble bee. Bees help ensure the pollination of flowering plants. It is estimated that one third of our food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is done by bees. Bees have robust and fuzzy bodies compared with wasps, which serve to enhance their pollen gathering. Both the honey and bumble bee can sting. However, bees are rather passive and rarely sting unless severely provoked. When a honey bee stings, their sturdy barbed stinger lodges beneath the skin and tears from the bee’s body when it flies away, killing the honey bee. However, the bumble bee’s stinger lacks barbs, so it can sting repeatedly.
Yellowjackets, hornets, and paper wasps are the most common types of wasps encountered in Washington State. Wasps have slender bodies with a narrow waist and appear smooth and shiny. Most wasps prey on insects, including caterpillars, flies, crickets, and other pests. Some also scavenge on human food and garbage. Their aggressive nature can make them a serious nuisance problem, especially at picnics and campgrounds. Like bees, wasps will sting in defense of its colony or itself. In late summer and fall, wasps become more aggressive and may sting without being provoked. The wasp’s stinger has small barbs which do not embed in the skin. so wasps can sting repeatedly.
Yellow jacket wasp 2004 photo by Marek_bydg (CC4)
About Asian giant hornets
You may not see Asian giant hornets themselves, but you may see the aftermath of an Asian giant hornet attack. These hornets will leave piles of dead bees, most of them headless, outside their beehive. Here are some general characteristics to look for:
- Usually 1.5 – 2 inches in length
- Large orange/yellow head with prominent eyes
- Black and yellow striped abdomen
- Forms large colonies that usually nest in the ground
Some local insects have been confused with Asian giant hornets, such as paper wasps and yellow jackets. However, if you aren’t sure, please report your sighting, especially if you have photographs.
For more information, including photos, visit the WSDA wasp identification page.
Asian giant hornet (Male Vespa mandarinia) 2017 photo by Yasunori Koide (CC4)
How to avoid hornet stings
Although not typically aggressive toward humans, the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) will sting people who attempt to handle them or while defending their nest or another beehive they are attacking. Mass hornet attacks are very rare, but they can occur; in extreme cases, they can cripple or even kill victims. A person who is allergic to bee or wasp stings should never approach an Asian giant hornet.
While Asian giant hornet venom is similar to other stinging insects, it’s not the same. The Asian giant hornet’s large size means its stinger is longer than that of a typical wasp. Like other hornets and wasps, Asian giant hornets can sting several times. A single sting can deliver a larger dose of venom. The venom is more toxic than that of local bees and wasps. A sting can damage tissue and cause substantial pain.
Use extreme caution near Asian giant hornets. The protective clothing beekeepers usually wear is not sufficient to protect against stings. To reduce the chance of stings, WSDA recommends the following preventive measures:
- Avoid wearing bright colors or flower-patterned clothing.
- Avoid wearing fragrant perfumes, cologne, lotions, or hair products.
- Keep food and drink covered or under screens when eating outdoors.
- Clean up and dispose food and garbage properly, including decaying fallen fruit, and dog or other animal feces.
- Use wasp guards on humming bird feeders to prevent Asian giant hornets from accessing the liquid.
- If you encounter an Asian giant hornet, slowly and calmly leave the area. Swatting may cause it to sting.
- If you encounter several hornets, run to get away from them. If a hornet flies inside your vehicle, stop the car slowly, and open all the windows.
In the event that an Asian giant hornet stings you, wash the site thoroughly with soap and water and apply ice to slow venom spread. There will be no stinger to remove. Take an antihistamine or apply creams to reduce itching if necessary. Seek medical attention if you are stung multiple times or you have signs of an allergic reaction.
When to call 911
If you are stung by an Asian giant hornet, call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
- Swelling anywhere on the face or in the mouth.
- Throat tightness or difficulty swallowing.
- Feeling faint or dizziness.
- Turning blue.
Learn more about Asian giant hornets and other stinging insects at the Washington State Department of Health’s web site.
Guidance for trapping Asian giant hornets
Asian giant hornets pose a serious threat to honeybees, other insects, and even humans. While they do not generally bother humans, Asian giant hornets will attack if they feel threatened.
By participating in trapping, you can help limit the spread and possibly even eradicate Asian giant hornets from Washington State.
- Although WSDA invites anyone in Washington State to participate in trapping, they are particularly interested in volunteers trapping in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Jefferson, and Clallam counties.
If you are allergic to bee or wasp stings, you should NOT engage in trapping for Asian giant hornets.
Participating in Asian giant hornet trapping could increase your risk of being stung by Asian giant hornets. Plan to seek immediate medical attention if you have a reaction or are stung multiple times.
Should you locate a suspected Asian giant hornet nest, DO NOT approach or attempt to remove it. Note the location and report it to WSDA immediately.
Trapping is a commitment. In order for trapping to be successful, those who participate should know that trapping will require you to:
- obtain materials to build and maintain the traps
- check your traps weekly for at least 17 weeks through the summer and fall
- log your traps on WSDA’s online mapping system
- submit any collected specimens to WSDA
For detailed instructions on building and checking traps, reporting information, and sending specimens, visit WSDA trapping Asian giant hornets information and/or download the Asian giant hornet bottle trap instructions (PDF).
Asian giant hornet (Vespa Mandarinia) 2019 photo by Filippo Turetta (CC4)
