Hornets: What You Need to Know

Need to get rid of hornets? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

What Are the Common Types of Hornets in the United States?

Hornets are often confused with wasps which is likely because they are in the same family of insects. They are also often confused with yellowjackets. Hornets are social insects that live in nests with a hierarchical structure of community members. Hornets are a household pest that you do not want to deal with yourself but should have taken care of as soon as a problem arises due to their aggressive nature and the severity of their sting and the fact that they can mobilize their entire nest to attack a person at once. If you think you have a hornet problem, call a Pest Control Expert right away.

How Can I Identify A Hornet Problem?

Because hornets are highly social and live in nests, if you find one hornet near your home, it is likely that there is a nest nearby. Hornets are about 1 to 1.5 inches long with two pairs of wings and six legs. They greatly resemble other wasps and look like a larger version of the common yellowjacket wasp. There are two common kinds of hornets in the United States, the European hornet, which is brown with yellow-orange stripes, and the bald-faced hornet which is slightly smaller and black with white-gray stripes. 

Perhaps the most decisive way you can tell hornets from non-hornet wasps is by their nests. Hornets only build aerial nests which they build by chewing wood into a papery pulp. These are often referred to as paper nests. Most hornets will create these nests in exposed areas of trees or shrubs

Why Are Hornets So Dangerous?

Hornets are intensely protective of their nests and will swarm by mobilizing the entire nest to sting in defense. One sting from a hornet, while more painful than from any other kind of wasp, is not that dangerous unless you are allergic. But hornets will swarm, potentially stinging a person multiple times which can actually be fatal due to the highlights toxic components of their venom.

How Can I Protect My Home From Hornets?

The best way to protect your home from the threat of hornets is to have a pest control service like Pest Control Experts regularly service your home. In between these visits, you should routinely check the exterior of your home for hornets nests, paying special attention to overhangs, eaves, and under porches and decks. If you find a nest, do not attempt to remove it on your own

When Should I Call Pest Control for Hornets?

If you have found hornets near or in your home, call a pest control specialist right away. Delaying the removal of a hornet’s nest near your home can increase the danger of getting stung or worse. Call Pest Control Experts today to get a free quote and to schedule your home pest inspection as soon as possible!