BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) officials found and destroyed multiple secondary nests of yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in trees in South Carolina near Hilton Head Island.
According to officials, they are the first secondary nests of the yellow-legged hornet found in the state.
The mission came after a beekeeper in Beaufort County, SC, videoed the hornets attacking his honeybees in what is called “hawking behavior,” then alerted DPI.
DPI officials used a trapping system and onsite monitoring by department personnel to find and destroy the nests.
“We found an embryo nest in April, but these are the first secondary nests we have found in South Carolina. We urge folks in the Lowcountry, especially the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island areas, to stay vigilant and report any suspicious nests or hornets to us immediately. That is our best shot at controlling this potentially devastating pest,” said Steven Long, assistant director, Clemson DPI in a release.
Clemson inspectors are asking homeowners to allow access to their property as they continue their search for other nests in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. The inspectors can be identified by badges, or Clemson DPI branded shirts and safety vests.
“If one of our inspectors knocks on your door, or you see them walking your property or neighborhoods, please remember that they are doing their jobs to protect the state from these hornets and the damage they can do to our beekeeping industry. This will be an ongoing effort,” said Brad Cavin, who coordinates the Clemson University program responsible for fighting the invasive hornets.
Residents who find a suspected nest should report their findings, here.
They should also provide photos, and the nest should be left undisturbed so that it can be properly disposed of by field inspectors.
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Publish date : 2024-08-16 08:49:00
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