OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Department of Agriculture says it is almost time to start looking out for murder hornets in Whatcom County and Northwest Washington.

They are again encouraging citizen scientists to take part in their trapping program for the invasive Northern Giant Hornet.

And an easier way to watch for them is to adopt a paper wasp nest.

Northern Giant Hornets are known to attack these nests and steal larvae.

People with a paper wasp nest on their property can register it with the department, check it each week and report observations on the Watch a Wasp Check-in form.