Beekeeping and Asian giant hornet

While nothern giant hornets attack all kinds of insects, they pose a particular threat to honey bees.

Northern giant hornets will attack individual honey bees throughout the season. In the late summer and early fall, they begin the "slaughter phase" when a few hornets will attack honey bee hives and can kill the entire hive in a matter of hours. Once they have destroyed the hive, they will move in and defend the hive as their own, taking the brood back to their own colony to feed their young. 

This behavior poses a threat not only to the survival of honey bees in Washington, but to those approaching a hive that northern giant hornets are actively attacking or defending. 

The hornets can sting through typical beekeeping attire; their stinger is significantly longer than that of honey bees. Their venom is also more dangerous than that of local bees and wasp - and they have more of it. 

What do beekeepers need to know about northern giant hornet? Join the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State University Extension to learn about the hornets, the threat they pose to honey bees, and what beekeepers can do to protect their hives.

Washington State University has published information for beekeepers with suggestions on how to protect your hives. 

• Download WSU's advice for beekeepers 
• Distinguishing Northern Giant Hornet Damage to Honey Bee Colonies 

WSDA sent out a beekeeper notice and pest alert to beekeepers in early 2020. 

• Northern giant hornet beekeeper notice 
• Northern giant hornet pest alert and reporting form 
• Blog: Beekeepers asked to look for and report nothern giant hornet

One of our entomologists, Sven Spichiger, has been featured on the Beekeeping Today podcast. 

• Interview with Beekeeping Today podcast