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Bald Faced Hornet
Size: About 1 inch in length. Color: Bluish-black with white markings on its face, thorax and abdomen. These large wasps are called bald-faced hornets, because of their white markings.
This hornet constructs paper nests made from wood harvested from logs and trees. The nest of the bald-faced hornet will take on a football shape, growing larger with time. Some nests may measure up to two feet in length and contain hundreds of worker wasps. The nests last one year. Each year in the fall, a hornet nest produces numerous queens that fly out to find a protected site (e.g., under loose bark) to overwinter. The following spring, each queen finds a suitable site in a tree or shrub to begin constructing her nest. She forms a small paper nest inside in which she builds a paper "comb" and raises her first brood of larvae. The workers that emerge from that brood begin foraging for food, enlarging the nest, caring for the young and defending the colony.
Hornets will aggressively attack and sting any intruder threatening or disturbing the nest. Attacks usually do not occur until colonies get larger, beginning in July and running through the fall. Because the paper nests are often concealed within the branches of shrubs and trees, homeowners and people working outdoors often do not know the nest is there. If the tree or shrub is disturbed, however, or if loud, vibrating equipment (e.g., a lawnmower or leaf blower) is used nearby, the hornets will fly out en masse and attack any moving person or animal. Once the intruder has been driven a safe distance away, the attack ceases and the worker hornets return to their nest.
Unless a person is somewhat allergic to insect stings, a bald-faced hornet's sting is no worse than any other wasps despite its large size. Any person who begins to swell noticeably or shows more severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness or blurred vision, should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if the person has never shown allergic reactions to a sting, it is possible that the next sting could trigger a more severe response. It is best to consult a physician if stung.
Bald-faced hornets normally construct their nests on the branches of trees and shrubs. Nests may be 20 feet or higher in a tree, but more likely will be closer to the ground within 10 to 12 feet. This hornet has been known to construct its nests on the sides of homes, although it does not locate its nest inside the voids of buildings as does its close cousin, the yellow jacket.
Controlling these should only be done at night, without shaking the nest.
You will need a quick knock down spray like Wasp Freeze
to start your treatment, and finish with Delta Dust
or Drione.
When dealing with these wasps, wear protective equipment such as a full bee suit that will protect you from head to toe.
By treating the nest at night, all the workers and the queen will be present. They are far less aggressive and are all at home. This tactic maximizes the effect of the pesticide application by killing most if not all of the wasps. If treatment is made at night, avoid shining a light directly on the nest or use a red filter on the flashlight.
Daytime treatments are successful when the nest has already been treated or if the wasps present on the nest are already dead. The nest can then be removed and the attachment area treated. Returning workers looking for the nest contact the residual insecticide and die.
Complete the job by removing the nest. This will prevent secondary infestations by other pests.
For these hornets we recommend Wasp Freeze, spraying into their nest to get a
quick knock down then an insecticidal dust like Delta Dust or
Drione to dust
into the their entrance. All to be done at night. Remember, wear protective
clothing/equipment, and try to avoid light.
Hornet nests have a single opening, usually toward the bottom, where the wasps enter and exit. It is essential that the paper envelope of the nest not be broken open during treatment or the irritated wasps will scatter in all directions, causing even greater problems.
Hornets are far more difficult and dangerous to control than paper wasps. A full wasp suit sealed at the wrists, ankles and collar is recommended when disposing of a hornet nest.
Paper wasps can be eliminated during the daytime provided you do not stand directly below the nest during treatment.
Most wasp and hornet sprays cause insects to drop instantly when contacted by the insecticide. Standing directly below a nest increases one's risk of being stung.
Good luck.
