We reported this week that the Asian murder hornet had made its way to the United States for the first time. Now, experts are speaking out to offer some terrifying warnings about the insect, saying that it really does pose a threat to human life.

Sven-Erik Spichiger, managing entomologist at the Washington state Agriculture Department, warned that due to the enormous size of the hornets, it’s easy for them to inject multiple large doses of their venom when they sting. While humans can likely survive one or two stings, he said more than that could prove to be deadly.

“What we are told from the literature is that most people can survive one or two stings,” he told The Sun. “But if you sustain multiple stings, the necrosis and the venom will actually start getting into your bloodstream and will start working on your organs. And multiple stings could literally be fatal.”

The U.K. Express reported that while they can kill humans and kill fifty people a year in Japan, the murder hornets pose an even bigger threat to the U.S.’s already dwindling bee species.

“I saw them perched on trees, hawking bees as they came into the hive – much like a sharp-shinned hawk at a bird feeder,” said Brent Sinclair, a biology professor at Western University. “If they can get into a honey bee hive, and they will, they’ll systematically eat their way through all the brood of a hive within a few days so they are really bad news for beekeepers. My understanding is death is not very common. Certainly, when I was in China studying with bee researchers, no one discussed them as being dangerous in that sense. However, the risk is there.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtVKXoNA-K0

Chris Looney, entomologist Washington State’s Department of Agriculture, went so far as to say that all the hornet colonies in the U.S. need to be exterminated within the next two years. If they are not, he predicts the situation will quickly spiral out of control.

“This is our window to keep it from establishing,” he said. “If we can’t do it in the next couple of years, it probably can’t be done. Don’t try to take them out yourself if you see them. If you get into them, run away, then call us! It is really important for us to know of every sighting, if we’re going to have any hope of eradication.”

The murder hornets were spotted in Washington State for the first time a few months ago after experts believe they came over on a ship from China. Experts have since warned that they will likely make it to the east coast in the coming weeks and months, adding that they are probably here to stay in the U.S.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chb_Iyx9ODQ&feature=emb_title

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

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Red Alert: Asia’s ‘Murder Hornet’ Is Discovered in U.S. for First Time
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