Washington Declares Northern Giant Hornet Officially Eradicated
The northern giant hornet, once a significant concern for Washington state, has officially been eradicated. The announcement came Wednesday from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), marking the end of a years-long effort to eliminate the invasive species.
WSDA pest program manager Sven-Erik Spichiger confirmed the milestone, stating that the last trap was removed on Dec. 5. “We’ve reached the regulatory threshold of three years without detection,” Spichiger said during a news conference. “Eradication has been achieved, and it’s a victory for everyone involved.”
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The northern giant hornet, known for its large size and deadly sting, first appeared in Washington in late 2019 near the Canadian border. Native to Asia, these hornets posed threats to both public safety and honeybee populations, critical to Washington’s agriculture industry.
State officials had been preparing for invasive species like the hornet since 2016, developing a framework to respond quickly if the insect appeared. When the hornet was first spotted, community members and local officials launched a coordinated effort to trap and destroy nests. By 2021, four nests were eliminated in Whatcom County.
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Nicole Russo, a deputy administrator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, praised the collaboration between federal agencies and local communities. “It’s rare to see this level of unity, but it’s what made today possible,” Russo said.
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The hornets, often referred to as “murder hornets,” are the largest in the world and are responsible for multiple fatalities each year in Asia. They also posed a threat to honeybee populations, with one hornet capable of killing thousands of bees in a single day.
The WSDA estimates that honeybee pollination contributes billions of dollars to Washington’s agricultural economy each year.