3rd Asian Giant Hornet Nest Destroyed In Whatcom County

BLAINE, WA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture has knocked down its third Asian Giant Hornet nest of 2021.

The nest, first discovered back on Saturday, Sept. 11 just outside of Blaine in Whatcom County, was one of the most challenging yet for the department: unlike earlier nests, which had all been found low to the ground, this latest nest was found some 20+ feet in the air.

The WSDA ultimately called in help from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, who felled the tree, allowing WSDA entomologists to crack it open.

Inside, they say they found 10 combs, but no virgin queens or males — meaning that, if we're lucky, the nest did not produce any other hives. Researchers also noted that the queen of this nest appeared to be slightly discolored.

Though the eradication went smoothly, experts say its still possible other hornet nests are out there, and continue to ask neighbors to keep a look-out for any other Asian giant hornets.

The first nest of 2021 was found back in August, thanks to a concerned neighbor who spotted a hornet and called it in. All three of this year's nests were located in rural Whatcom County, just outside of Blaine.

Eradicating any and all nests is a priority for Washington state. The invasive bugs are not native to the continent, and while the so-called 'murder hornets' can kill victims, through stings and spitting venom, they are a much larger threat to the local honeybee population — If the hornets discover a honeybee colony, they will systemically destroy the hive over just a few hours.