Posted on 08/02/2020 7:41:58 PM PDT by 11th_VA
As the US grapples with the world's worst coronavirus outbreak, a new threat is emerging as Asian giant hornets – known as “murder hornets” due to their lethal sting to humans – are gaining a foothold in the country.
After they were first found in Washington State in May this year, the 2-inch (5cm)-long hornets have now been trapped for the first time – giving officials an indication – firstly that their traps work, and secondly of where nests could be situated.
Now authorities in Washington State have until mid-September to try and eradicate the invasive species before the breeding season begins.
Multiple stings are deadly to humans and in Asia the hornets are estimated to kill 50 people a year.
During the hornet’s “slaughter phase” they kill bees, feeding the bodies to their young.
Honey bee populations in the US have declined by 60 per cent since the mid 20th century, largely due to habitat loss and use of pesticides, according to Greenpeace USA...
WSDA said its next steps are to search for nests using infrared cameras and place additional traps in order to catch live Asian giant hornet specimens.
Special traps intended to trap hornets but keep them alive will be used. If they catch live hornets, the department will attempt to tag and track them back to their colony. Once located, the agency will eradicate the colony.
Officials said they hope to find and destroy the nest by mid-September before the colony would begin creating new reproducing queens and drones.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
I certainly wish them well. Good luck, Team!
I know. Whatever happened to those Africanized bees? I think they were found in the United States, as well.
That's pretty bad considering there are only 2-3 billion people left in Asia.
If they get a hold here we may have to weld the doors shut on all human habitations. And wear masks from birth to death.
After the murder hornets comes the fog that turns you inside out.
We needed a Wuhan Flu break.
Corner the market on bee keeper suits.
I think I saw some death gnats and satan mosquitos in my loft today. There was also a North American Apocalypse Frog in the wet part of my yard but also pretty sure I saw a pomeranian saber toothed child munching lawn shark take him out unless that was in fact a top finned perpetual depression eel.
Regular bee keeper suits are not protective enough.
They can stop normal 1/8 inch long stingers.
These hornets have 1/4 inch long stingers that can punch through far enough.
I’ve built them a little house in my barn. Even got a sign up, “Murder Hornets Welcome!”. So far nothing, but summer isn’t over yet.
After a couple stung me last week I had fun with a can of bug nerve gas and a plain old assault hornet nest this weekend. They buzzed around angry for a few seconds, then they crashed to the ground twitching. Then I sprayed the honeycomb section at the top to wipe out the next generation.
First cast of SNL ... still hilarious after all these years.
A very proactive way to pass the time!
Yeah, ya can’t beat the originals. Those first few years were golden. Watching with friends back in the day, it was must see tv.
Might as well say, "according to my great-aunt Sadie. . ."
Except she was a more credible source.
“Regular bee keeper suits are not protective enough.
They can stop normal 1/8 inch long stingers.
These hornets have 1/4 inch long stingers that can punch through far enough.”
I’ve seen this trick before. You’re just trying to make sure the front liners will be able to get them before the hoarders.
Not to worry — Fauci will have a vaccine for us by year end to save the human race from the MURDER HORNET stings.....
Everyone I knew did the near unthinkable at the time. On a Saturday night we either stayed home, went home from the party or bar or went to the one night club that turned down the music and turned up the volume on the TVs above the bar and watched SNL.
For one hour every Saturday night THAT WAS the party! And we died laughing.
While I was out walking my back field today I ran into a methamphetamine addicted rattlesnake. I guess I better carry my street sweeper from now on.
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