First 'murder hornet' nest of 2021 eliminated in Washington state

I reported that "murder hornets" returned to Washington state on World Honey Bee Day and that help was on its way. Inside Edition showed that help arriving last Friday in ‘Murder Hornets’ Attack Officials Trying to Remove Nest.

Another Asian Giant Hornet’s nest was found and eradicated in Washington State. It’s the first one to be found this year and officials say the hornets were not happy to see them. Last year the first nest of this invasive species, nicknamed the Murder Hornet, was found in October. Officials with the WSDA say the second nest was three times bigger and these bugs were ready to defend their home. Inside Edition Digital’s Mara Montalbano has more.

Watching this clip reminds that I've been worried about Asian Giant Hornets becoming established in the U.S. for eight years. Back then, I called them "another invasive species I can frighten my students with." Now that they're here, I will follow through in both of the classes where I teach about invasive species, but the idea is a lot less funny now.

Good Morning America added more detail in 1st ‘murder hornet’ nest of the year has been destroyed.

Officials in Washington state say they have successfully destroyed this year’s first detected nest of Asian giant hornets.

Here's to eliminating any other Asian Giant Hornet nests in the U.S. and Canada. As I first wrote last year, "For the sake of the bees, I hope Chris Looney and the people who work with him at the Washington state Department of Agriculture [like Sven-Erik Spichiger] succeed in preventing 'murder hornets' from becoming established. Bees have enough problems."

That's it for August. Stay tuned for the first entry of September 2021, which might be a driving update.