Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler J Harper Urges Georgians to Remain Vigilant as Yellow-Legged Hornets Emerge from Overwintering (Early Detection Critical)

Mon, Mar 30 2026

ATLANTA, GA - Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper is urging all Georgians, but especially residents of Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Screven Counties, to remain vigilant for Yellow-legged Hornet (YLH) embryo and primary nests as overwintering queens emerge and begin establishing new nests. For nearly three years, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has worked aggressively to track, trap, and contain this invasive pest-but continued public support is essential to limit its spread. Early detection and reporting of these nests-the first stages of nest development-are critical, as eliminating them now stops queens from producing workers, reducing the risk of larger secondary nests later in the year and making long-term control efforts more effective.

"Since August 2023, the GDA's Plant Protection team has been actively tracking, trapping, and working to eradicate the invasive Yellow-legged Hornet from Georgia," said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. "As in previous years, we are asking for the public's continued help. Early reporting of embryo and primary nests is critical-it allows us to stop queens before they spread and reduces potential damage to our state's honeybee population. This is especially important for residents of Coastal Georgia, particularly in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Screven counties, to remain vigilant. By working together, we can protect Georgia's number one industry-agriculture."

What Georgians Can Do:

• Stay Alert: If you believe you've discovered an embryo or primary nest, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Contact the GDA Plant Protection team at [email protected] or a licensed pest management professional to ensure the queen is properly eradicated.

• Category
• Yellow-Legged Hornet

Media contacts

• Matthew Agvent,Communications Director
• Liz Rivera-Brown,Deputy Communications Director

About the GDA
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is the voice of the state's agriculture community. The department's mission is to provide excellence in services and regulatory functions, to protect and promote agriculture and consumer interests, and to ensure an abundance of safe food and fiber for Georgia, America, and the world by using state-of-the-art technology and a professional workforce.

Find us on Facebook • Follow on Twitter: @GDAFoodSafety •@GeorgiaGrown

For more information, visit https://www.agr.georgia.gov.

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334