WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – The first live so-called murder hornet of the season has been sighted in Whatcom County.
Karla Salp with the state Department of Agriculture says the Asian giant hornet was reported on a property near Blaine.
The hornet was found under the eaves of a house attacking a paper wasp hive.
She says analysis shows they’ll attack all sorts of bees and other insects despite their reputation for slaughtering honey bees.
And she says it’s too soon to tell if their population is expanding, as this one was found near where others were found last year.
She says reports from the public are critical in the department’s efforts to find and eradicate the invasive species.
Find information on how to report sightings or to put up a trap at the Department of Ecology’s website.
Email reports to: hornets@agr.wa.gov