There has been quite a bit of media attention this week on an usual hornet spotted here in the United States. They have been grabbing headlines be being dubbed “Murder Hornets” in a recent New York Times article. What exactly are these insects? Are they here in Charlotte County Florida? How can I protect myself and my family?
What are Murder Hornets?
First off, let’s address the name. These giants wasps are not some crazy lab generated creation that has escaped to scare mankind. The very large hornets are native to temperate and tropical East Asia, South Asia, Mainland Southeast Asia and parts or the Russian Far East. The official name is the Vespa Mandarinia or the Asian giant hornet and Japanese giant hornet. Seems a few regions would like to claim ownership. They are the largest hornets currently known in the world. Their bodies grow longer than 1.6 inches with wingspans greater than 2.4 inches!
How did they get their name?
While these hornets individually do not kill humans, they do have a powerful and painful stinger with venom. Now if you are allergic to bee stings it could be possible one sting could send you into shock. The reason for the murder hornets name is simply because if you upset them, they have a tendency to team up and attack the threat to their nests. On average in Japan about 50 people loose their lives to the hornets each year.
Are Murder Hornets in Charlotte County?
No. The hornets have recently been found in Washington State. Biologists and wildlife experts are actively monitoring the area and trying to find out where they are located. Since they are not native to the United States there is some concern about how they could affect the local ecosystem. Especially at risk is the honeybees in the United States. In their native ecosystems they eat many different bugs and are considered beneficial for many farmers. They are known however to target honey bees. They will find a nest of honey bees and a group of hornets will show up, attack the nest and kill all the honey bees by cutting off their heads. They then take the bee bodies back to their nest to feed their young. There is no immediate threat in Florida at this time.
How can I protect my family?
Florida has some amazing weather and with these favorable conditions, as you can image, bugs flourish. Bugs have no place in your home. They can introduce sickness either through their waste or places they have been. The best way to protect your family, especially here in Charlotte County, is to hire Problem Solved Pest Control. We are the area’s most experienced, trusted and reliable service. We don’t treat bugs, we work with you to protect your home and from bugs getting in there at all. Our pest control plans focus on treatment outside your home. In many cases, we do not need to spray any chemicals inside your home. Give us a call or complete our online form and we can help give you a little additional peace-of-mind. Remember, it’s easier and less expensive to prevent bugs from entering your home, than it is to get them back out after they have moved in.
