Whatcom residents encouraged to report, trap Asian giant hornets

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Nearly 600 Asian Giant hornet traps will be placed around Whatcom County by the state department of agriculture.

This will more than double the number of traps already set out by citizens.

The Captial Press reports state traps will be placed around Blaine, Custer and Bellingham, the only places in the U.S where the hornets have been found.

The WSDA is asking the public to help protect honey bees by reporting sightings of the Asian giant hornet with location details and photographs if possible.

Reports may be made using the Washington Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Hornet Watch Report Form, the WA Invasives reporting app or on the Washington Invasive Species Council’s Web site.

Whatcom County residents are also encouraged to set traps on their land.

WSDA created citizen scientist trapping information. No commercial traps are available for Asian giant hornets.