Home / Environment / South Carolina Bees Under Siege by Invasive Hornets
South Carolina Bees Under Siege by Invasive Hornets
12 Dec
Summary
- Invasive yellow-legged hornets threaten native honeybees in South Carolina.
- Nearly 80 nests have been confirmed across South Carolina's Lowcountry.
- Experts believe hornets arrived via shipping cargo ports near Savannah, Georgia.
South Carolina is currently facing a significant threat from invasive yellow-legged hornets, which are aggressively targeting native honeybee populations. These destructive insects have been found in large nests, some as big as yoga balls and housing thousands of workers. Officials are working to contain these nests, often requiring specialized equipment to access and treat them with pesticides to prevent further spread.
Experts believe the hornets, originally from Southeast Asia, likely entered the U.S. through shipping ports near Savannah, Georgia, and have since spread northward. This year alone, nearly 80 nests have been identified in South Carolina's Lowcountry region. The hornets' predatory behavior, including "hawking" native bees, can lead to the swift destruction of entire apiaries, impacting pollination and food security.
State authorities are actively deploying traps and encouraging residents to report any sightings through Clemson University's Apiary Inspection Program. Public awareness and participation are vital in the fight against this invasive species. Efforts are underway to support native pollinators through habitat preservation and scientific research, emphasizing the critical need for coordinated action to protect both local ecosystems and global food systems.
