Washington state moves to prevent sale or movement of ‘murder hornets’

Washington state is considering a proposal that would recognize Asian giant hornets, commonly referred to as “murder hornets,” a quarantined pest, which would forbid the species from being sold, distributed or “knowingly moved or received within Washington.”

The proposal, put forth by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), would also apply additional restrictions to “infested sites,” which are defined in the text as “all real property within 20 meters of a nest containing any live life stage of hornet.”

These areas, however, could possibly include homes and properties, the proposed rule notes.

According to the document, once an area is designated as an infested site, no individuals would be permitted to enter unless they are authorized to do so.

Murder hornets are not native to the United States and kill about 50 people per year in Japan. They are the world’s largest hornet and kill honeybees and other insects. A group of these giant hornets can kill an entire honeybee hive in a matter of hours. 

Inspectors, the text notes, would be permitted to enter infested sites to “remove and treat the nest and hornets.”

The public will be allowed back on the site once the WSDA “deemed it clear of infestation.”

The department wrote that the regulation “limits the risk to public health and safety, as well as prevents further infestation.” 

The department is also proposing an amendment, which would authorize the possession of live hornets for “research purposes.”

The proposal was previously reported by My Northwest.

This move comes after Washington officials in October located the first murder hornet nest in the country. The nest was later destroyed by Washington State Department of Agriculture authorities.