Asian giant hornet equipped with electronic tracker leads WSDA to 3rd nest in Blaine

A tagged Asian giant hornet is seen before being released to be tracked back to its nest (September 10, 2021). Photo courtesy of WSDA

BLAINE, Wash. — Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) reported today, September 10th, they had located another Asian giant hornet (AGH) nest, the second this year.

The nest is reported to be located in an alder tree southwest of a nest located earlier this year. The 2 nests found this year were located within a few miles of the nest located last year.

On September 8th, WSDA confirmed 2 new public reports of AGHs in north Whatcom County including a live specimen that was able to be tagged with an electronic tracking device and released. There was also the first confirmed bottle trap catch of the year.

Citizens are encouraged to report suspected sightings, and learn how to set up bottle traps on your property through the WSDA “citizen scientist program” at agr.wa.gov/hornets