These Terrifying Insects Won't be Invading Montana

Amidst all the things in Montana we have to worry about, including being invaded by out-of-staters driving up home prices, there was one invasion on our doorstep that was absolutely terrifying.

That's when the so-called "murder hornets" started showing up in Northwestern Washington in 2019.

The totally unexpected arrival of the world's largest hornets not only raised the alarm on working, and recreating outdoors, but questions about what would happen to the valiant effort to help our honey bee populations recover as the invaders spread across the Northwest.

Now, word comes that an aggressive effort has apparently stopped the invasion cold.

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What are "murder hornets"?

The hornets look like your worst insect nightmare, especially if you've ever run into a swarm of the aggressive "yellow jackets", which have become an increasing problem in our recent trend to warmer weather.

Two inches long, biologists say the "Northern Giant Hornets" can kill off a honeybee colony in half an hour, and pack a powerful sting that could be deadly for those with an allergic reaction.

Researchers at Montana State University studied the threat and identified several counties across the Northwest at risk of invasion, including Lewis and Clark County in Montana, which they said was at "high risk" because of a higher number of apiaries.

Where did they come from?

No one knows how the giant hornets, native to Asia, came to North America.

But their discovery on Vancouver Island, and in Whatcom County near Bellingham prompted wildlife officials to declare all-out war.

And it's a war that seems to have worked, thanks to funding and cooperation.

Workers remove a nest in 2021; Karla Salp; WA Dept of Agriculture photo

According to a recent article in National Geographic, officials are now saying with certainty that the invasion has stopped. Tests also showed genetic differences between the two discoveries, on Vancouver Island, and in Washington, suggesting the hornets may have arrived in two separate incidents.

Officials with Washington State Department of Agriculture say while the eradication was successful it's not a guarantee the big hornets can't show up again. And the experts say there are also other "giant hornets" making their way into other parts of the U.S.