All About Bald-Faced Hornets

Bald-Faced Hornets Identification Guide

Physical Characteristics

Bald-faced hornets are black and white social wasps with a distinct white pattern on their face. They have a robust body, measuring between 0.5 to 0.75 inches long, and are often mistaken for bees due to their size. Unlike yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets have a smooth body without the fuzzy appearance of bees. Their wings are translucent, and they have a visible stinger used for defending their nests.

Common Species

Dolichovespula maculata (Bald-Faced Hornet)

Bald-Faced Hornets Behavior and Biology

Bald-faced hornets are aggressive social wasps that live in colonies, with a queen laying eggs throughout the warm months. Workers maintain the nest, protect it from threats, and hunt for food. Their diet primarily consists of nectar, fruit, and other insects, making them natural predators of smaller pests. These hornets build their nests in trees, shrubs, or attached to buildings, using chewed wood pulp to create a sturdy, enclosed paper structure. Colonies die off in the winter, with only fertilized queens surviving to start new colonies in the spring.

How We Treat for Bald-Faced Hornets

When dealing with bald-faced hornets, our technicians follow a structured approach:

• Nest Identification & Inspection - The technician locates the nest and determines the level of infestation.

• Direct Treatment - A residual insecticide is applied directly to the nest using a sprayer or aerosol product to neutralize the colony.

• Follow-Up & Nest Removal - After ensuring the colony has been eliminated, we remove the nest to prevent re-infestation.

If the nest is inside a wall void, we apply insecticidal dust and may use an aerosol foam to fill the space and eliminate the colony. Due to the aggressive nature of these hornets, multiple treatments may be necessary for complete removal.