The state’s agricultural extension is sounding the alarm for residents of Horry and Georgetown counties. Clemson University’s invasive species team says the yellow‑legged hornet, an aggressive predator of honeybees, is moving northward along the Grand Strand and could soon appear in backyards, porches and tourist‑heavy areas.

What the hornet looks like and where it nests

Adult hornets measure 0.7 to 1 inch long, with a mostly black head, an orange‑yellow face, a dark thorax and an abdomen banded in dark brown and yellow‑orange. The most distinctive field mark is the yellow lower legs, which Clemson and North Carolina officials say are the single most reliable identifier.

Nests develop in stages. In spring a queen builds an embryo nest about the size of a tennis ball. By summer the nest can swell to volleyball size, and later in the season a secondary nest may reach the size of a beach ball or larger, often perched high in tree canopies or under eaves, porches and utility boxes.

Current numbers and recent discoveries

According to Clemson’s September update, crews have removed 16 nests in 2024 and roughly 500 so far in 2026 across the Lowcountry. The total count for the year stands at 217 embryo nests, 279 primary nests and 67 secondary nests removed or scheduled for removal, with a few additional sites in the Upstate.

While most of the monitoring effort focuses on Beaufort, Jasper and Charleston counties, a recent York County sighting—more than 150 miles north of earlier detections—demonstrates how quickly the hornet can travel. Crews destroyed that nest within a week, killing over 400 queens, but the colony had already begun producing new queens that could spread further.

Why the hornet matters to locals

The hornet’s primary threat is to honeybees. It hunts by hovering at hive entrances and snatching bees as they come and go, a behavior known as “hawking.” Even when it does not kill large numbers outright, its presence can deter foraging, weakening colonies and reducing honey production. For Horry County’s agricultural sector, backyard gardeners and small growers who rely on pollination, this represents a slow, costly loss that is difficult to reverse once the hornet establishes a foothold.

Beyond bees, the hornet is opportunistic. Clemson staff have observed crews finding hornets raiding trash cans and feeding on roadkill. In a tourist‑heavy region with abundant restaurant waste and summer dumpsters, that behavior raises additional concerns for public safety and cleanliness.

How residents can help

Clemson’s program emphasizes community reporting. The most valuable alerts come from places where crews have not yet confirmed activity, allowing rapid response before a population takes hold. Residents who discover a gray, papery ball the size of a cantaloupe tucked under a porch ceiling, or who see the distinctive yellow‑legged insects, are urged to contact Clemson’s invasive species hotline immediately and avoid handling the nest themselves.

While the state has deployed 4,259 traps across 13 counties—including Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper, Hampton, Lancaster, Union and York—Horry and Georgetown counties are not yet on that list. This does not mean the hornet is absent; it simply reflects the current placement of systematic monitoring. In areas without traps, early warnings rely on vigilant homeowners, beekeepers and pest‑control workers.

Timing is critical

Clemson advises that nests should be destroyed by late summer or early fall, before new queens begin mating and dispersing. The window is now open; a nest missed in September can release queens that start new colonies the following spring, potentially establishing the hornet in new neighborhoods.

For the Grand Strand, which sits between a heavily infested Lowcountry to the south and new detections to the north and west, the risk is real. The region’s constant flow of tourists, vehicles and cargo provides a pathway for the hornet to hitch rides and expand its range.

What to look for

Residents should watch for the following signs:

• Gray, papery nests the size of a cantaloupe under eaves, porches or in sheds.
• Large, semi‑automatic‑looking insects with black heads, orange‑yellow faces and yellow lower legs.
• Increased hornet activity around trash cans, roadkill or outdoor lighting.

If any of these are observed, call Clemson’s invasive species hotline right away. Prompt reporting helps keep the hornet from establishing a permanent presence and protects the bees, crops and quality of life that make the Myrtle Beach area thrive.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.