WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – So-called “murder hornets” are officially gone for good after their first sighting in Whatcom County five years ago.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced the report, which declared the species formally called the northern giant hornet, was deemed to be eradicated from the United States as of Wednesday, Dec. 18.
It comes after three years without any confirmed sightings. The invasive species was first found near Blaine in 2019. They mainly pose a threat to honeybee colonies but can attack with toxic venom if provoked by humans or other animals.
“We are proud of this landmark victory in the fight against invasive species,” said Dr. Mark Davidson Deputy Administrator at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. “The success of this effort demonstrates what’s possible when agencies and communities unite toward a common goal. USDA played a key role by providing critical funding, technology, personnel and research support, and scientific expertise that helped WSDA eradicate this pest. By tackling this threat head-on, we protected not only pollinators and crops, but also the industries, communities, and ecosystems that depend on them.”
The state Department of Agriculture went on to remove four hornet nests between October 2020 and September 2021.
It continued setting traps and encouraged people to report any sightings, but none were found.
The department says one person reported a “suspicious hornet sighting” in Kitsap County last October, but it was not able to find it or confirm anything.
Traps will continue to be set around the area in 2025 as a precautionary measure.
