Port Colborne Baseball Diamonds to remain closed due to wasp infestation

Three Port Colborne baseball diamonds remain closed, after staff discovered giant Japanese hornets burrowing there.

The species is relatively new to the Niagara Area, and experts are still learning how to deal with them.

Armed with the ability to sting multiple times, and a bite strong enough to break through thick clothing, its the japanese hornet a subspecies of the world’s largest hornet.

Yesterday, it was spotted at Port Colbornes’ Rotary Club baseball diamonds.

A city worker was inspecting the baseball diamonds when he noticed 6 mounds that the hornets had burrowed into.

George Scott, a professional beekeeper, was called to identify the hornet after finding another large colony in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Tuesday.

He notes the insect is meat-eating, with a tendency for targeting honeybees.

If provoked, a sting can also be incredibly painful for humans.

The insect is believed to have been brought to North America from Asia in egg form, transported in soil.

As a safety precaution, the diamonds are out of service until further notice, but the city says they’ll be monitoring the situation day-to-day.