Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C., Washington team up against giant hornets

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Mar, 2021 11:02 PM
  • B.C., Washington team up against giant hornets

Officials with the British Columbia and Washington state agriculture departments along with U.S. federal agencies are teaming up to trap, track and destroy invasive Asian giant hornets, which threaten honeybees.

The so-called murder hornets have been found on both sides of the border, in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, on Vancouver Island and in Blaine, Wash., where a nest containing nearly 200 queens was discovered and destroyed last year.

A full news conference on the governments' plans is set for Wednesday, but Washington's Agriculture Department says in a release it's preparing to bait and trap this year along with a strong emphasis on help from the public.

The release says the focus in Washington will be in Whatcom County, where Asian giant hornets were detected in 2019 and 2020, while B.C.'s surveillance program will include traps where hornets have been found.

The hornets are considered a serious honeybee predator with a large orange head, mandibles and a wingspan up to seven centimetres.

The statement says public reports have been crucial for locating the pests and both B.C. and Washington are urging residents to be on the lookout.

The hornet's life cycle begins in April when queens emerge from hibernation, to feed on sap and fruit and look for nesting grounds.

Washington is encouraging residents in several counties to participate in trapping starting in July using orange juice or a brown sugar-based bait.

MORE National ARTICLES

AstraZeneca vaccine OK for seniors: NACI

AstraZeneca vaccine OK for seniors: NACI
The decision reverses a recommendation made by the body two weeks ago when the panel of vaccine experts said AstraZeneca hadn't included enough people over the age of 65 in its clinical trials.

AstraZeneca vaccine OK for seniors: NACI

Officials face battle of confidence in AstraZeneca

Officials face battle of confidence in AstraZeneca
Infectious disease doctor Zain Chagla says it's an important message, but confusing for Canadians as Germany and other European countries move to limit the vaccine's use while they investigate reports of blood clots emerging after some inoculations.

Officials face battle of confidence in AstraZeneca

Canada and Germany ink deal on green energy

Canada and Germany ink deal on green energy
The two countries might not see fully eye to eye on hydrogen, with Canada focusing recentlyon so-called "blue hydrogen."

Canada and Germany ink deal on green energy

First-degree murder charge in school attack

First-degree murder charge in school attack
Police said a 17-year-old female student was violently assaulted Monday morning in a classroom at Christ the King School in Leduc, just south of Edmonton.

First-degree murder charge in school attack

Edward John ordered to stand trial on sex charges

Edward John ordered to stand trial on sex charges
The BC Prosecution Service confirmed the charges against Edward John will go forward after a preliminary hearing wrapped up last week.

Edward John ordered to stand trial on sex charges

TSB to further probe deadly B.C. tug sinking

TSB to further probe deadly B.C. tug sinking
Two men died and one survived when the Ingenika sank Feb. 11 south of Kitimat while towing a barge, which remained afloat.

TSB to further probe deadly B.C. tug sinking