Scientific Name: Vespa
All you have to do is step outside and it seems like there is something waiting to sting you. Hornets are just another flying insect that will build a nest around your home and then sting you for sharing. If you have never been stung by a hornet, you should be extremely cautious around their nests. Anaphylactic shock can be life threatening.
Description: The bald-faced hornet is 1/2 to 5/8 in long. It is black with white markings on the face, the thorax, the last few segments of the abdomen, and the first segment of the antennae. The wings are smoke-colored and the eyes are brown.
General Information:
There are two types of hornet. The first is the European hornet, and it is the only true hornet in North America. The European hornet looks like a very large yellow jacket, but it will have hints of reddish coloring. Like all wasps, European hornets will aggressively defend their colony with their stingers. The other type of hornet is called the bald faced hornet. It looks just like a yellow jacket, but instead of yellow and black, the bald faced hornet is pale white and black. Bald faced hornets are just as aggressive as yellow jackets, and they will attack with little provocation.
Signs of an Infestation:
Bald faced hornets build their nest in large round balls. There will be an opening at the base and you will see many of the hornets flying inside. The structure is composed of the same papery material as all other wasp nests. European hornets like to build their nests behind the siding of you home. Sometimes the nest gets so large it will begin to protrude from you home. Other common places for European hornets include inside of hollow trees, inside of you attic, and occasionally underground.
Treatment:
You should never, ever plug the hole of a European hornet nest, especially if the opening is on the outside of your home. If their hole is plugged, they will chew through drywall or wood and you will soon have a lot of angry European hornets inside of your home. When you want real results, you call in the professionals with Pointe Pest Control. If your home has large scary hornet nests, our technicians will come with a plan. They will eliminate the hornets and remove the nests. When you want the best in hornet elimination, you need Pointe Pest Control.
Learn More About Stinging Pests:
Paper Wasps, Yellow Jackets, Mud Daubers, Cicada Killers, Carpenter Bees