Murder hornets have a scary name, but there’s no need to worry if you don’t mess with them. That doesn't mean they are not a threat to humanity though.
We’ll explore the world of the murder hornet to understand what murder hornets are and why we should care. Then we’ll discuss what they look like, how big they can get, what getting stung by a murder hornet feels like, and when you should go to the hospital.
Then we’ll discuss how to kill a murder hornet and what their nests look like.
You can jump to the section that interests you by clicking on any of the links.
Why should we be concerned about murder hornets?
What does a murder hornet look like?
What does a murder hornet sting look like?
What happens if you get stung by a murder hornet?
What does a murder hornet nest look like?
What Is A Murder Hornet?
A murder hornet is the slang name for an Asian Giant Hornet. The scientific name is Vespa mandarinia. These hornets are native to eastern and southeast Asia.
The nickname comes from its ability to kill bees and, potentially, humans. Murder hornets were first discovered in North America in August of 2019, and the first U.S. nest was found in Washington in October of 2020.
Why should we be concerned about murder hornets?
Murder hornets primarily eat honey bees, a crucial portion of our ecosystem. Reductions to the honey bee population impact pollination, which could cause lower crop yields.
If murder hornets successfully killed the entire honeybee population, humanity could cease to exist because natural pollination would drop dramatically.
When murder hornets are located, you should notify authorities so they can remove and contain them before their population grows.
What does a murder hornet look like?
Murder hornets are the largest hornet with a body length between 1.5 and two inches long and a wing span of approximately three inches. In other words they are huge!
They have a yellow-orange head with a freakishly large mandible for eating their prey. In addition their abdomen is striped black and orange.
How big is a murder hornet?
Most murder hornets are 1.5 to two inches long, but queens can be even larger. A queen may be two inches long with a wingspan of three inches. Workers will typically be between 1.4 inches and 1.6 inches long, while drones will typically be between an inch and 1.5 inches, but can not sting you.
What does a murder hornet sting look like?
A murder hornet sting will normally be pink around where the sting occurred and the area around it can swell up to twice the size like the picture below.
Source: https://www.outdoorjournal.com/coyote-peterson-kills-the-murder-hornet-myth/
What happens if you get stung by a murder hornet?
You’re unlikely to get stung by a murder hornet unless you mess with it or it’s nest, but if you get stung by a murder hornet it may feel like you are being poked by a hot fire poker.
Murder hornet stingers can pierce beekeeping suits and inject a potent venom into flesh. Make sure to call 911 if you have been stung by a murder hornet and experience lightheadedness, dizziness, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, tightness in the throat, blue tinted skin, or swelling of the face or mouth. Many of these are signs of an allergic reaction.
How to Kill a Murder Hornet?
You can kill murder hornets by using any chemical you would use to kill a wasp. Be careful though. It will take more to kill it and you are likely to irritate them, which makes them more likely to sting you.
It is better to report them using the government’s Invasive Species app.
What does a murder hornet nest look like?
A murder hornet nest is typically the size of a small child. It may be underground, in trees, or excavated soil. There will be combs that can be up to two feet wide. Avoid the nest as well as possible. Call an exterminator if you discover one.
Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/education-and-prevention/murder-hornets-need-know/
Conclusion
A growing murder hornet population is considered a risk to our environment and health primarily due to their impact on bee populations.
As long as you leave these Asian hornets alone they are unlikely to attack you, but you should be aware of what murder hornets look like and the side effects that a hornet sting can cause.
Make sure to leave them alone and immediately contact pest control if you spot a murder hornet or it’s hive.
While typical wasp sprays will kill it, you also risk agitating the hornets which could cause them to sting you. While most people will survive a single sting, those with allergies may not. Multiple stings increase the risk of death.
If you’re feeling sinister you could raise them and unleash them on your enemies, but I highly discourage it unless you have ambitions to end the world.
Related Posts
