The yellow-legged hornet was located recently in Bluffton. The hornets build egg-shaped paper nests above ground. The nest can house around 6,000 workers.
While the Town of Bluffton usually welcomes all visitors, there is an evasive one that is being removed from the area.
The town, along with Clemson University Extension, recently confirmed the presence of yellow-legged hornet nests in Bluffton. One of the nests was located near the corner of Calhoun Street and Lawson Street in Old Town.
"Clemson Extension specialists coordinated the safe removal of the nest last week and are scheduling additional removals," a town spokesperson said. "Town officials are asking residents to report any additional sightings of these invasive hornets to help prevent them from spreading further into the Lowcountry."
The yellow-legged hornet, native to Southeast Asia, is an invasive species in the United States and has established itself in most of Europe and areas of the Middle East. The hornet, officials said, build egg-shaped paper nests above ground and often in trees and the nests can be large and house an average of 6,000 workers.
The yellow-legged hornet was captured in Jasper County for the first time in November of 2023 and another was captured in the county on March 14 of 2024.
The hornets prey on honeybees and other pollinators, making them a serious threat to agriculture and the environment, officials said. According to Clemson University, their establishment in the Southeast could disrupt pollination, reduce honey production and impact native ecosystems.
"Early detection is key to protecting our environment," said Larry Beckler, director of the Town's Public Services Department. "Working with Clemson Extension allows us to remove nests safely and prevent these hornets from becoming established in Bluffton."
Officials said the town continues to collaborate with Clemson University and state agencies to monitor and respond to sightings throughout the region.
What To Do If You See a Nest or Hornets:
* Do not disturb a suspected nest or swarm. Yellow-Legged Hornets can become aggressive if threatened.
* Report sightings immediately to Clemson University Extension through its online reporting portal athttps://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/invasive-spotlights.html#main-section1
* Avoid Do-It-Yourself (DIY) removal. Only trained specialists should remove nests.
* Stay alert. Nests may appear in trees, shrubs, or structures -- often high off the ground.
How to Recognize the Nest:
* The nest is a papery, egg- or pear-shaped structure, made from chewed wood fibers and hornet saliva.
* Size can vary -- early nests (in spring) may be small (about the size of a tennis ball) while mature nests (late summer/fall) can be large -- up to 50 cm or more in diameter.
* The entrance hole is usually on the side of the nest rather than at the bottom (especially for mature nests).
* Nest materials and surface: Tan/grayish in color, layered "paper" texture from wood pulp.
* Typical locations: High up in tree branches or attached to structures like buildings, sheds, or eaves.
* Town Public Services Director Larry Beckler said the nests have an "artistic" look to them.
For more information about identifying Yellow-Legged Hornets and how to report sightings, visit Clemson University's Invasive Species Spotlight or contact Larry Beckler, town's public services director, at (email): larry.beckler@townofbluffton.com.