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 HILTON HEAD
HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
