Radioactive Wasp Nests Found at Savannah River Site.

On July 3rd, 2025, a report was made about a radioactive wasp nest found along the Savannah River by a nuclear facility in South Carolina. More recently, on Friday, August 1st, three additional nests were discovered. The cause of the wasp nests is said to be an unidentified environmental contamination source, causing the nests to become radioactive.

Since the first few reports, expert sources such as the U.S. Department of Energy and various professors, biologists, and managers have begun to document each of the four reports. After the report was made from the Department of Energy, their manager, Edwin Deshong, at the Savannah River Operations Office stated, “The U.S. Department of Energy is managing the discovery of four wasp nests with very low levels of radioactive contamination. The nests do not pose a health risk to SRS (Savannah River Site) workers, the community, or the environment.” While this concern ended up being addressed, many others were still curious as to why this all started in the first place.

Timothy Mousseau, a biologist from the University of South Carolina, provides commentary on the questions about the cause. Dr. Mousseau explains, “This is an indicator that there are contaminants spread across this area that have not been completely encased and protected.” This gives reasoning about how and why this event may have occurred. Another reason is leftover nuclear materials from the Cold War of 1947. While the exact reason remains unclear, many professionals are researching to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon that may be taking place.

Documentations will continue to be made to uncover what the true cause of the wasp nests was, but until further reports of any other nests, experts will continue doing their best.