Northern Giant Hornets Declared Eradicated From Washington State

Washington state has officially eradicated the invasive northern giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” marking the end of a years-long effort to eliminate the dangerous insect. Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirmed the milestone on Wednesday, noting that no sightings have been reported since 2021.

Sven-Erik Spichiger, WSDA’s pest program manager, announced the eradication at a news conference, stating, “The last trap was removed on Dec. 5th, with no additional findings since 2021. It’s a significant victory for everybody who’s involved.”

To meet the regulatory definition of eradication, a state must go three years without detecting the invasive species. The hornet, native to parts of Asia, was first identified in the Pacific Northwest in 2019. Its discovery coincided with concerns over its threats to human safety and agriculture, particularly its predation on honeybees critical to Washington’s farming industry.

Known for its size — a body up to 2 inches long with a 3-inch wingspan — the hornet was responsible for at least 50 deaths annually in Japan and posed a direct risk to humans and honeybees. Four nests were located and destroyed in 2021 in Whatcom County, a northern region bordering Canada.

State officials credited the eradication effort to collaboration between local, state and federal agencies, as well as significant public involvement. Trapping and monitoring played key roles in identifying and eliminating nests.

Nicole Russo, associate deputy administrator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, praised the effort, highlighting the cooperation between Washington state and federal agencies. “We do not always experience this magnitude of support when an invasive or exotic pest is discovered,” she said.

The hornet’s eradication is a rare success story in invasive species management, with officials noting that failure to act quickly could have allowed the hornet to become permanently established in the region.

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