The Threat of Asian Giant Hornets: What Commercial Properties Need to Know for Safe Landscape Maintenance

The Asian giant hornet, also called “murder hornet” and officially known as the Northern giant hornet, is the world’s largest hornet species. According to a post by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), just a few of these hornets can decimate an entire bee hive in only a few hours. They decapitate bees, claiming the bees’ nests as their own.

Per the same WSDA article, the first-ever sightings of Northern giant hornets were in December 2019 near Blaine, WA. New sightings occurred in 2020 and 2021, but none in 2022 and 2023. However, this doesn’t mean they’re gone; they could still be out there and establish a nest on your commercial landscaping.

To that end, our team at Grounds Control USA put together this guide on Asian giant hornet safety precautions and pest management for commercial landscapes. Read on to discover more about these invasive species in landscaping and how to keep them out.

How the Asian Giant Hornet Can Impact Commercial Landscaping and Businesses

The University of Idaho explains that the Asian giant hornet queen feeds on tree sap. Getting this food source may involve wreaking havoc on the bark, resulting in direct tree damage.

However, the Northern giant hornet’s primary way of causing damage is by killing bees. Its sting also poses a significant public health concern.

No Bees, No Pollinators

Bees are crucial pollinators with many significant positive roles in the ecosystem, including:

Helping in plant reproduction by transferring pollen from one flower to another
Pollinating food crops, including fruits and vegetables
Supporting the ecosystem by pollinating plants that support other insects and everything in the food chain (including humans)
Feeding livestock by pollinating many crops that animals use as food sources

So, if Asian giant hornets establish themselves somewhere on your commercial landscaping, they can decimate bee populations nearby. In doing so, these invasive insects can reduce the pollination of plants on your property. They can then keep reproducing and wreak more havoc by infesting other areas.

Plants will have difficulty reproducing and bearing fruits and flowers without adequate pollination. Instead of thriving, their growth can become stunted, and since there are no bees to help them pollinate, they may no longer be able to grow at all.

Painful, Even Life-Threatening Stings

Asian giant hornets are more aggressive toward bees but can and will still sting humans if threatened. So, people must avoid approaching them.

Even more concerning is that Northern giant hornets have a stinger longer than other wasps, per WebMD. Their stingers can go through the typical protective clothing that beekeepers often wear. Usual clothes will provide even less protection.

The length of the Asian giant hornet’s stinger also enables it to deliver more pain and venom to the person or animal it stings. Thus, its sting is more dangerous than that of other venomous wasps.

Northern giant hornets also sting repeatedly. While mass attacks are rare, they can still happen, and if they do, they can result in crippling injuries or even fatalities.

People with sting allergies are particularly at risk of the safety dangers of Asian giant hornet attacks. According to Northeast Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about two million Americans have insect sting allergies.

Legal Liabilities

The presence of stinging insects on commercial properties brings liability risks. The risk is higher if the stung person experiences dangerous, life-threatening allergic reactions. They can sue the commercial property where they got stung and win if they prove the defendant was negligent and could have prevented the incident.

Minimizing Asian Giant Hornet Dangers and Liabilities

While no sightings of the Asian giant hornets occurred in 2022 and 2023, it’s not 100% guaranteed they’re gone for good in the United States. For this reason, authorities still strongly advise Americans to be on the lookout for these invasive species. Report any possible encounters to state apiary inspectors and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

However, you shouldn’t wait to encounter these massive wasps. Instead, consider implementing proactive property management and landscaping strategies. They can minimize legal liabilities, help keep your commercial premises safe, and maintain or even improve its value.

Partner With Commercial Landscape Maintenance Professionals

Landscape maintenance professionals can help keep your commercial lawn pristine and well-manicured through:

Proper and routine weeding practices
Pruning of trees, shrubs, and flowers
Debris clean-up
Tree brushing and trimming
Irrigation
Landscape construction and maintenance

Landscape maintenance professionals can also help you deal with and prevent pest infestations with an effective lawn care and management plan that includes pest control services. They can spot signs of infestations and develop an integrative pest management (IPM) program to treat existing pests and prevent future occurrences. They’re also your best, safest bet for stinging insect and hornet nest removal services.

Improve Garbage Disposal and Sanitation Practices

Stinging pests love trash areas since they can easily access sugar-rich food and beverage leftovers here. Therefore, maintaining these areas should be a top priority to minimize the risks of pest infestations.

Here are some tactics to discuss with your commercial property’s professional cleaning and utility team:

Using self-closing lids on all trash cans
Ensuring all dumpsters have good-sealing lids
Using trash liners and bags in garbage cans
Ensuring regular and timely removal and disposal of garbage
Cleaning and sanitizing garbage bins, lids, and dumpsters

It’s also wise to put up signs in the trash areas regarding proper garbage disposal. For example, they can request that users properly close garbage cans after use. They can also ask users to report full or overflowing bins by texting a phone number managed by your cleaning and utility team.

Don’t Underestimate the Asian Giant Hornet

The Asian giant hornet is a destructive, dangerous wasp that should never have a place on your commercial property. So, please ensure you report any possible sightings.

In addition, please implement protective, proactive, and preventive landscaping maintenance. Doing so can help maintain your commercial lawn and minimize possible pest infestations.

Grounds Control USA is your go-to for high-quality exterior facility management services. Our award-winning firm specializes in landscaping, parking lot maintenance, and snow and ice removal. We service all 50 U.S. states and currently manage thousands of properties nationwide.

Speak with us today! We’ll happily provide a free quote for your exterior facilities maintenance project.