GEORGIA — State agriculture officials say crews found 1,090 invasive yellow-legged hornets and 60 nests during August as Georgia continues an intensive eradication effort.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture also deployed 48 new traps and checked 7,944 existing traps during the month, according to figures reported by WSB-TV. Officials say warm conditions are keeping hornet activity elevated and are asking residents, especially in coastal Georgia, to remain alert.
Why the hornets matter
The yellow-legged hornet, also known as Vespa velutina, preys on honeybees and other insects. Agriculture officials warn that an established population could threaten pollinators that support Georgia farms and the state’s broader agricultural economy.
The species was first confirmed near Savannah in 2023, marking the first detection of a live yellow-legged hornet in the open United States. The state’s current public guidance says confirmed activity remains concentrated in coastal counties and that the hornet has not been confirmed in Metro Atlanta.
One behavior residents may notice is “hawking,” when hornets hover near a beehive and intercept bees returning to the colony.
What residents should do
The department advises people not to disturb a suspected nest. If it is safe, residents can take a clear photograph and submit it through the state’s online reporting form. Photographs are important because several native wasps and hornets can be mistaken for the invasive species.
Suspected sightings can also be reported to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Division. Officials recommend using a licensed pest-management professional rather than attempting to remove a developed nest.
