Murder hornets in Canada | Can they kill you?

Known as the world's largest hornet and a predator of honeybees and other insects , the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is an invasive species not native to Canada. 

The queens of this species reach over five centimeters in height, while the workers measure only about four centimeters. Giant hornets have an orange head, a dark thorax, and yellow, black, and brown bands on their abdomen.

Giant hornets are found in Asia, from India to Japan. Their range also includes parts of the Russian Far East in the south, as well as parts of Southeast Asia. Asian giant hornets live in colonies and are social wasps. They usually nest underground, for example in abandoned burrows or tree root cavities. When they build their nests above ground, they are typically no more than two meters high.

Hornets, like other social wasps, build a new nest every year. Asian giant hornets prey on a variety of insects, but attacks on honeybees are the most common. When these wasps attack bees, they tear off their heads, abdomens, and legs before carrying the protein-rich thorax back to their nest—a behavior observed in other hornet species as well.

Giant hornets, on the other hand, have the unique ability to consume bee brood. When hornets infiltrate a honeybee hive, they can embark on a slaughter, destroying bee after bee. A small group of hornets can wipe out an entire honeybee colony in a matter of hours.

Hornets, like other social wasps, establish a new nest each year after emerging from their winter dormancy, which is initiated by a single queen. The queen raises broods of workers, which eventually take over the tasks of foraging and nest building as the colony grows. 

New queens and males are created and mate before winter arrives to ensure the next generation. The current year's colony and males die out, and the new queens find a safe place to spend the winter.

Here are the distinctive characteristics of the giant Asian hornet that you should pay attention to:

• The almost entirely dark belly, except for the fourth segment, which is yellow, is a distinctive feature.
• The tips of the legs are bright yellow (dark native hornet).
• Thorax entirely brown or black (native hornet more orange).
• The worker ants can reach a length of 25 mm.
• European hornets can be active at night, but Asian hornets are not. The queen of the European hornet is smaller, has some yellow on her thorax (unlike the Asian hornet), and lacks the characteristic feet and abdomen of the Asian hornet.

While these insects were making headlines, new sightings of Asian giant hornets captured public attention across North America. Many people are concerned about the murder hornet, but there are a variety of wasps native to North America that can be mistaken for the Asian giant hornet .

• The white-headed hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) is native to North America. This species is smaller than the Asian giant hornet, and its black and white coloration distinguishes it.
• Wood wasps (Siricidae) are solitary wasps that resemble giant hornets in size. Hornets, however, have a much more cylindrical body and are completely harmless to humans. The ovipositor is a long, stinging protrusion on the abdomen.
• Cicada killers (Sphecius) are similar in size to giant Asian hornets and are native to the United States. They are a solitary species that digs nests in open areas and uses their stingers to paralyze cicadas. The trapped cicadas are then placed in their burrows where they lay their eggs. The larvae feed on the cicadas after the eggs hatch.
• In eastern North America, the European hornet (Vespa crabro) is well known. The Asian giant hornet is similar in size, shape, and color, but its abdomen is primarily yellow with some dark bands and spots. European hornets typically build their nests in natural cavities such as hollow trees, about two meters above the ground.

It is more likely to be seen near beehives, so beekeepers should be vigilant. From February to November, they can be found in suburban areas, where they usually nest in trees and buildings, sometimes closer to the ground.

If you find a wasp or a nest , it is important to know the following information:

• To avoid a group attack, stay away from their nests. They rarely sting without provocation.
• Don't run. They can fly faster than you can run, and they're fascinated by moving targets, so running is considered a provocation. Crouch low to the ground, don't turn around, and cover your head as best you can.
• Bright colors attract giant hornets, so dress in brown or black.
• Perfumes and aftershave lotions attract them.
• The smell of alcohol irritates them.
• Sightings should be reported to an extermination company that can provide tailored residential, commercial, and agricultural services to eliminate and control wasps and their nests.
• You must not disturb or provoke a live hornet's nest under any circumstances.

Although Asian hornet venom is less toxic than that of other insects, wasps inject more venom per sting . Their stinger is long enough to penetrate heavy, protective clothing like that worn by beekeepers.

The nests of this species are protected. They can be more aggressive than other hornet species, as they attack in groups, recruiting other members of the colony to participate in the sting. It is best to stay away from their nests, but hornets will not make any effort to sting humans . However, when it comes to honeybees, their motives are more dangerous.

The sting is unpleasant, but the swelling and pain usually disappear after a few days . An allergic reaction, also called anaphylaxis, can send people to the hospital, just like bee stings. Extreme reactions can be fatal in very rare circumstances. 

They can be dangerous for young children and people with chronic illnesses due to the amount of venom they can deliver in the event of multiple stings. In Japan, however, wasp and hornet stings killed fewer than 13 people per year in 2017 and 2018 .

Their terrifying name comes from their violent and deadly behavior towards honeybees, not humans . Although honeybees may try to defend themselves by stinging their attackers, giant Asian hornets are armored and much larger.

Are there Asian hornets in Canada?

In 2019, the Asian giant hornet was discovered in British Columbia for the first time . On Vancouver Island, a nest was destroyed in Nanaimo, and a hornet was discovered in White Rock. Additionally, another was discovered in Washington State last December. It is unknown how the Asian giant hornet arrived in North America and how many times it has been introduced.

If you find a wasp nest or if you live and work in an area where wasps are common, you can take the following steps to ensure your safety and avoid being stung:

• You should avoid perfumed soaps, shampoos and deodorants.
• Wearing cologne or perfume is not a good idea.
• Avoid bananas and products that smell like bananas.
• Wear clean clothes and take a shower at least once a day.
• Cover as much of your body as possible with clothing.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment. Social wasps thrive in places where people discard food.
• If a single biting insect flies nearby, remain calm and quiet.
• If you are surrounded by a swarm of stinging insects at the same time, flee. When bees sting, they release a chemical that attracts other bees.
• Go inside.
• To avoid insects, a shaded environment is preferable to an open area.
• If you can physically get out of the field, do not attempt to jump into the water. Some insects are known to hover above the water and bite even after you have surfaced to breathe.
• If a bee enters your vehicle, stop slowly and open all the windows.
• People who have had severe allergic reactions to insect stings or bites in the past should consider carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and wearing a medical identification bracelet or necklace indicating their allergy.

Treating a sting

If you, or someone else, is stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet, follow these steps:

• Keep an eye on the person to make sure they are not having an allergic reaction.
• You need to use soap and water to clean the area.
• Using gauze passed over the area or a fingernail scraped over the area, remove the stinger.
• Never use tweezers and do not squeeze the stinger.
• To minimize swelling, apply ice.
• Scratching the sting will only worsen the swelling and the risk of infection.