OLYMPIA, Wash.-The Northern Giant Hornet has been declared eradicated from Washington and the United States.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared the eradication in a press release on Dec. 18 after three years without confirmed detections.
“We’re pleased to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet in Washington state,” Derek Sandison, WSDA director said.
Eradication efforts against the Northern Giant Hornet started in 2019 and included state, federal and international government agencies.
“The success of this effort demonstrates what’s possible when agencies and communities unite toward a common goal,” said Dr. Mark Davidson Deputy Administrator at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
A Northern Giant Hornet was confirmed in Washington state in December 2019. WSDA found and eradicated a single hornet nest in October 2020 and three nests in August and September 2021, according to the WSDA.
Public trapping efforts continued through 2024 in Whatcom County, however, no additional Giant Hornets were found.
Had the hornets become established in the U.S. they would have threatened honey bees, pollinators and other insects, according to the WSDA.
“We are proud of this landmark victory in the fight against invasive species,” said Dr. Davidson.
