Yellow-legged Hornets Nests Found and Destroyed in South Carolina

A Mission Hastened by Hawkish Behavior

In a swift and decisive operation, multiple secondary nests of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) were found and eradicated near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) acted promptly after receiving a distress signal from a beekeeper in Beaufort County, who filmed the hornets launching an attack on his bee colony in a behavior referred to as ‘hawking behavior’. Weathering this evident threat to the beekeeping industry, the DPI dispatched its personnel to militarily exploit a trapping system and bring down the perpetrators.

Team DPI in Action

Following a discovery of an embryo nest in April, this is the first secondary nest found in South Carolina, putting the residents of Lowcountry, particularly those in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island zones, on high alert. Assistant Director of Clemson DPI, Steven Long, urged vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious sightings, their best defense against a possible outbreak of the menacing pests. As the search continues in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, homeowners are being requested to allow DPI officials, identifiable by badges or Clemson DPI branded shirts and safety vests, access to their property.

A Call for Cooperation

“They are doing their jobs to protect the state from these hornets and the damage they can do to our beekeeping industry. This will be an ongoing effort,” said Brad Cavin, the coordinator of the Clemson University program responsible for battling the invasive hornets. The residents have been solicited to either leave any found nest undisturbed for it to be appropriately dispatched by field inspectors or provide photos with their reports.

Remain Alert & Stay Tuned

As efforts to control the yellow-legged hornet threat continue, residents are urged to remain alert, report any suspicious nests, and cooperate with DPI officials to protect South Carolina’s environment and beekeeping industry. For further updates and information, stay tuned.

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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH

The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.