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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Spotted a big stinging insect on your porch? It could be a hornet or a wasp. Knowing which one matters because removal and risks vary. As a family-owned team with decades in DC, we’ve helped many homeowners tell these insects apart and handle nests correctly.
Insect order Hymenoptera covers wasps, bees, and ants. A wasp is any Hymenopteran that isn’t a bee or ant. Hornets belong to genus Vespa only. All hornets are wasps, but not all wasps are hornets.
According to the University of Maryland Extension, Maryland hosts over 1,000 wasp species. Correct ID helps you decide how to address a nest. Yellowjackets often nest underground, while hornets build aerial, enclosed homes.
Hornets range from 19–35 mm, making them larger than most wasps. Yellowjackets sit at 10–16 mm. Paper wasps and mud daubers vary from 15–38 mm. Size clues hint at the species you’re seeing.
European hornets show a brick-red head and yellow abdomen with black teardrops. Bald-faced hornets have a black body with white face and bands. Yellowjackets sport bright yellow and black stripes.
Paper wasps have long, dangling legs under their bodies. Hornets tuck legs in flight. Antennae shape and color can vary, like orange antennae on invasive paper wasp P. dominula.
Bald-faced hornets hang football-shaped, paper envelopes high in trees. European hornets often choose hollow trees, wall voids, or attics.
Yellowjackets build nests in rodent burrows or under shrubs. Cicada killers dig solitary burrows in sunny turf. Both tunnel into the ground but with different impacts.
Paper wasps create umbrella-shaped nests under eaves or porch roofs. These nests lack an outer envelope, leaving combs exposed.
Mud daubers construct organ-pipe clay tubes on walls and beams. They rarely sting and help control spiders. You can knock down tubes if they bother you.
In early April, queens emerge and inspect eaves or cavities. This marks the start of new nests.
May through August brings rapid nest expansion. You’ll see more worker flights and hear more buzzing.
Late August to mid-October leads to peak worker numbers. Wasps feed on picnic foods and may sting more often.
At first frost, colonies collapse. Only new queens survive to start nests the next spring.
True hornets in our area measure 25–35 mm. They have a reddish head and yellow abdomen with black teardrops. You’ll find them in tree hollows and wall voids. They fly both day and night.
Actually a type of yellowjacket, bald-faced hornets measure 15–20 mm. They build large, hanging nests up to 20 m high. These nests look like smooth grey envelopes and can be quite aggressive if disturbed.
Yellowjackets include Eastern and German species. They measure 10–16 mm and have bold black-yellow banding. They nest underground or in wall voids and rank highest in sting incidents.
Paper wasp species like P. fuscatus and invasive P. dominula build exposed, umbrella-shaped nests. They are generally docile, giving a bump-and-warn before stinging. Learn more on our Paper Wasps page.
Cicada killers can reach 30–38 mm and dig burrows in turf. Males patrol but cannot sting. Cicada Killers in Managed Turf help control cicadas. Mud daubers and potter wasps also pose little risk.
Always maintain distance and observe from the ground. Look for nest shape, location, and insect size. If unsure, call our registered technicians. They wear protective gear and use EPA-approved products we trust in our own homes.
Cicada killers are active by day and dig burrows, while European hornets may fly at night and prefer tree cavities.
Check nest type: open comb means paper wasp, enclosed envelope means yellowjacket or hornet. Also note antenna color and leg length.
Asian giant hornets don’t live in the DMV. If you see a large hornet, it’s almost certainly European hornet or bald-faced hornet.
Technicians apply insecticidal dust at the entrance and surrounding soil. This method controls yellowjackets and other ground nesters.
For high nests, we use a direct spray on the envelope. Our licensed technicians use ladders and gear to reach nests correctly.
We inject insecticidal dust or foam into voids. Follow-ups are often needed to ensure full elimination.
Seal cracks, trim branches near structures, and remove debris. Regular inspections catch new nests early.
Last September, our team found a yellowjacket ground nest under a homeowner’s deck in Arlington. We treated the nest with residual soil dust and followed up two weeks later. The family now enjoys their yard without buzzing worries.
At another HOA site, our licensed technicians spotted paper wasps building umbrella nests under eaves. We removed them using targeted spray, causing minimal impact to the home.
Our family-owned business thrives on these real-world moments. Our registered technicians train on every scenario to deliver consistent, comfortable service.
Ready to tackle your stinging insect issue? Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] for an estimate. Our team is here to help with any questions.
Hornets are larger, with thicker waists and enclosed aerial nests. Yellowjackets are smaller, have bold stripes, and often nest underground.
No. Bald-faced hornets belong to genus Dolichovespula. They’re aerial yellowjackets, not true hornets in genus Vespa.
Hornet activity peaks from late summer through early fall (August–October) just before colonies collapse at first frost.
DIY removal risks multiple stings. Our registered technicians wear full protective gear and use EPA-approved products we trust in our own homes.
Seal gaps, trim tree limbs away from structures, and clear debris. Regular checks in spring catch new nests before they grow.
No. Abandoned nests are never reused. Social wasp colonies die each winter, leaving empty envelopes.
We use EPA-approved sprays and dusts selected by our research team. Each product passed our strict internal review for environmental impact.
Maintain at least 15 feet distance. Use binoculars or a zoom lens for inspection. Any closer, and you risk provoking the colony.
If you’re unsure of the species or nest status, give us a call. Our licensed technicians provide expert phone consultations and detailed quotes.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
