How much does it cost to exterminate murder hornets?

Reviewed by Irene Pomares remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

You may have heard of the famous ‘murder hornet’. The Asian Giant Hornet is the latest in threats to the well-being and safety of people as well as honeybees. These scary creatures can decimate our bee population as well as become a threat to human lives. Due to the concern of murder hornets making their way into the United States, finding a way to exterminate them is of grave concern. While we don’t know much about them, these killer hornets need to be removed and destroyed to avoid further problems.

While agricultural authorities are asking sightings to be reported immediately to your state’s department of agriculture, pest control services are striving to learn more about exterminating these creatures. The average cost to exterminate murder hornets ranges from $300 to $600, with the average homeowner spending around $450 on murder hornet nest removal and inspection for further infestation. Costs can be as low as $250 to remove a smaller hornet nest or as high as $1,300 to remove a more complicated murder hornet nest and have ongoing treatment each month.

Murder Hornet Extermination Costs

Are Murder Hornets Dangerous?

According to Staff Sgt. Vincent Sarver, 26, an entomologist in the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, the sting is painful. However, Sarver states that the real problem is the fact that the killer hornets produce a chemical that releases during a sting. Once released, it summons more murder hornets. You can see how this would be very dangerous, particularly for someone who is allergic. If stung, the victim will need penicillin to treat swelling and inflammation that can lead to organ failure. So, can murder hornets kill? Yes, they can, depending on the intensity of the attack or if the person is allergic. The sting of one murder hornet is excruciating. It is believed that one sting could kill a small rodent.

Murder Hornets in the US

Murder hornets or the Asian Giant Hornet orginated in Asia. They cover Russia, Japan, Thailand, and Myanmar. In fact, in Japan, about 40-50 people per year die from the sting of these pests. It is believed that these mysterious creatures came to the US by hitchhiking on a person or shipping container. The first sighting was in 2016 when a package inspector discovered an entire nest of murder hornet pupae and larvae. The container was identified as an arthritis pain aid that comes from the hornet’s liquor. The second sighting was in Vancouver, Canada in September 2019. A large nest was found on a footpath. Lastly, the killer hornets were seen in Blaine, Washington. In all cases, the hornets were killed and hives destroyed. However, there have been unconfirmed sightings in Washington and Canada in 2020.

Now that we are in 2022, it is important to revisit this issue and see where the country is with these invasive pests. The Washington State Department of Agriculture recently discovered that the three nests destroyed in 2021 were related to the nest first found in 2020, meaning the hornets in those 2021 nests flew from the nest found in 2020 before it was destroyed. This is actually a good sign because it means there is a good chance there was no crossbreeding with other unknown nests. However, this does not necessarily mean the hornets are gone. Moving into springtime in 2022 will be the true test to see if all the queens have died. Without a queen, there can be no nest.

Where Do Murder Hornets Live?

Nests are generally underground so the hornets come out if stepped on or you get too close, usually within two feet. This can be a problem for hikers and hunters in particular. If you are in the middle of nowhere and get stung, the probability of dying is much higher due to medical help being so far away. Outdoor enthusiasts should keep antihistamine and ice on hand in case of a sting.

Murder Hornet Extermination

Since these large insects can be very dangerous, authorities have instructed anyone who finds them to call the Washington State Department of Agriculture or your state’s agricultural department immediately. Do not approach the nest or attempt to remove it or destroy it. It is important to note that a standard beekeeper’s suit will not protect against an Asian giant hornet’s sting. If you were to get rid of them yourself, you would need a special suit.

Since murder hornets are a fairly new issue in North America, there are not many proven extermination methods beyond common pesticides. In British Columbia, officials have tried glue traps to no avail. Scientists have developed a simple bottle trap that attracts the hornet into an enclosed space, allowing them to then attach a radio transmitter to it. Another idea is a bright colored, plastic ribbon that would tag the killer hornets. Both methods enable humans to track the hornets back to their nest to destroy it. In addition, an infrared light is being invented that would be able to detect the hornets in nature. So far, this method hasn’t been successful.

Murder Hornets Size

Known as the Vespa mandarinia in the science world, a full grown queen murder hornet is the largest hornet in the world. Measuring between 1.5-2 inches, with a wingspan of almost three inches, a killer hornet is 3-4 times the size of a Western honeybee. It is nearly double the size of a typical wasp and the amount of venom that it releases during a sting is much greater than its counterparts. Its stinger is longer than that of a wasp or bee and the pain level of a sting is much worse. Those who have been stung by the murder hornets say it is equivalent to being stung by 3-10 yellow jackets - so quite painful.

All About Murder Hornets

The Asian giant hornet is native to Asia but has made its way into North America in the past few years. As their main food source is honey bees, murder hornets pose a serious risk to bee populations and, consequently, crop growth, honey production, and the overall health of many ecosystems.

The typical lifespan of a murder hornet is three to five months, with the incubation period lasting about a week. At about ten days old, they are considered fully independent, and at a year, they will have reached sexual maturity. They typically nest underground, making it more difficult to locate their nests. The only way to completely eradicate these invasive pests is to eliminate all the queens.

Despite its known nickname, murder hornets kill approximately 40 to 50 people a year in Asia. They pack a mighty neurotoxin in their stinger. According to an entomologist and beekeeper in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Conrad Bérubé, the sting made his entire leg ache like he had the flu. He also stated it was the most painful bite he had ever had. The killer hornet’s stinger is able to penetrate traditional beekeeper clothing.

Although often confused with other hornets, the killer hornet has a distinctive feature - a solid orange head. The problem is if you get close enough to see that, you may get stung. Report any possible sightings to your state’s Department of Agriculture. Do not attempt to kill or capture as you may get stung.

Murder Hornets vs Bees

Murder hornets and bees are extremely different. Bees’ bodies are rounder and they feed on nectar. Their bodies are fuzzy which picks up pollen and then distributes it to other flowers. Though bees do sting, they generally only do so when protecting their hive. There are over 20,000 species of bees native to different areas. In the US, there are over 4,000 types of bees spanning different areas and ecosystems.

The main concern that many of us have about murder hornets is not the danger to humans. Unless someone is allergic or is stung multiple times, these pesky creatures are more dangerous to the population of honeybees. Murder hornets invade entire beehives as bees are their main food source. They tear off the heads of the bees and escape with the thorax as well as stealing all of the larvae and pupae. Back at their own hive, these monster insects feed their young with the bee bodies. According to the Royal Society Open Science journal, bees will “scream” to each other when under attack. By vibrating their thorax or wings and releasing a pheromone, bees produce this high-pitched sound to rally their defenses and warn each other, too. It also is a panic call emitted as they are being killed. 

Beekeepers are looking for methods to protect the beehives from pests. Some are creating smaller openings for the bees to come and go through but that are too small for the hornets to penetrate. Others have tried using a screen at the front of the hive to distract the hornets from the hive where the bees are actually located. These screens also make the entrance into the hive much smaller, helping your bees better defend themselves from any predators, including murder hornets.

Bees have their own ways to protect their hives from murder hornets. One of the most effective ways has been to create “bee balls.” The honey bees swarm the invading hornet and pile on top of it, vibrating their bodies to create extreme heat. Essentially, they suffocate the hornet. A new study in Vietnam revealed bees use animal feces to deter predators from entering their hives. This tactic has only been used by Vietnamese bees. However, studying these methods helps us understand how to protect our bees here in the United States.

Murder Hornets vs Wasps

Wasps are smaller than murder hornets. They also serve a purpose in our ecosystem as they prey on spiders, insects, flies, and caterpillars. Just like murder hornets, wasps do sting but their sting is not nearly as toxic as the murder hornet. The danger to humans is about the same in terms of allergy or multiple stings - not good. Wasps are easier to see as they typically build nests in plain sight. However, some do build their nest underground. Wasps are easily aggravated and can sting you for no reason at all. Murder hornets tend to be aggressive towards humans only upon being disturbed.

How to Prevent Murder Hornets

While experts are working hard to eliminate these concerning hornets, there may be some ways to keep them away from your home. Planting citronella, thyme, and eucalyptus may be a deterrent to hornets and wasps but it is not yet known if these plants will work with murder hornets. As killer hornets like to nest in decaying logs, keeping your property clear of these may also help. Forest type areas are also a place that murder hornets like to nest.

Professional pest control companies can spray your home on a regular basis, monthly or quarterly to discourage the invasion of murder hornets or other stinging pests. Monthly or quarterly treatments cost $40-$100 a month or $80-$200 per quarter. You can also have small openings, gaps, or holes sealed to keep out flying creatures such as the murder hornet.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Permit or licensing. A permit is not required to exterminate murder hornets. However, your exterminator should be experienced and trained in dealing with hornets and wasps who have similar characteristics to murder hornets. Many states have their own certifications for pest control. In addition, the EPA offers a Pesticide Operator Core Exam. Before contacting a pest control company to handle a murder hornet, call your state’s department of agriculture as there may be updated protocols on dealing with this problem.
• Authorities. While you can purchase insecticide that will kill murder hornets, authorities on the subject are saying it isn’t safe to do so. Not only may you get stung, but if you miss and attract more hornets to your property, you could have a bigger problem.

References

• CBS News. “"Murder hornets" have now entered the U.S. — and they could decimate the honeybee population.”
  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/murder-hornets-us-honeybees-washington
• FIXR Cost Guides and Cost Database.
• Mashable. “Everything you need to know about 'murder hornets'."
  https://mashable.com/article/murder-hornets
• ScienceNews. “More ‘murder hornets’ are turning up. Here’s what you need to know."
  https://www.sciencenews.org/article/asian-giant-murder-hornet-sightings-washington-canada
• Solutions Pest & Lawn. “All You Need To Know About Asian Giant "Murder" Hornets."
  https://www.solutionsstores.com/asian-giant-murder-hornets
• Stars and Stripes. “‘Murder hornets’ a common challenge for US military pest control workers in Japan.”
  https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/murder-hornets-a-common-challenge-for-us-military-pest-control-workers-in-japan-1.630293
• The New York Times. “‘Murder Hornets’ in the U.S.: The Rush to Stop the Asian Giant Hornet."
  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/asian-giant-hornet-washington.html
• Washington State Department of Agriculture. “Invasive hornets."
  https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets
• Washington State Department of Agriculture. “Asian Giant Hornet: What Hikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts Need to Know”.
  https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/Pubs/833-AsianGiantHornet-FactSheet-Hikers.pdf