CLALLAM COUNTY – You might remember our story back in December about Asian giant hornets, a new invasive species found in Washington state that has a nasty sting and is considered a threat to honeybees.
Since that time, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Pest Program has been doing extensive research and planning to track and try to eradicate the hornets from Washington this summer, and they’re looking for help from the public.
WSDA is especially looking for people in Clallam County, as well as Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan counties to help them locate their colonies by setting traps for the Asian giant hornets.
If you’re interested, the first thing the WSDA wants you to know is: Trapping is a commitment. It’ll require that you check traps and change the bait once per week for 17 weeks if you start in July, or up to 34 weeks if you start in April.
You’ll also need to purchase the materials for the trap. Home-made traps are basically a two-liter bottle with a bait mixture of orange juice and rice wine used for cooking.
You’ll also be asked to mail any specimens you collect to WSDA.
You should keep in mind that while the giant hornets aren’t as aggressive as some, you could get stung.
To learn more about Asian giant hornets and WSDA’s program to eradicate them, visit agr.wa.gov/hornets.
(WSDA photos)