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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Stinging pests like hornets and wasps can worry any homeowner. In our work, we get calls in spring and late summer about nests in eaves or wall voids. If you spot a hornet nest near your eaves, don’t get too close.
It can be hard to tell a wasp or bee apart. This ID guide helps you spot nest types and plan your next move.
True hornets are found mainly in the Vespa genus, but many people call other wasps hornets too.
Here is a quick look at the diversity of hornets you may see.
At 25 to 35 mm long, the european hornet has a reddish-brown thorax and a yellow abdomen with black “teardrop” marks. It’s not the largest hornet, but it can still sting hard.
You may find an european hornet nest in trees, attics, or wall voids. Queens overwinter and start a new nest site each spring.
The northern giant hornet and the asian giant hornet made headlines as the murder hornet. This giant hornet can nest in the ground or tree cavities. Reports help keep surveillance strong.
New invasive hornets threaten local wildlife and honey bees. Early ID can help your region track arrivals.
The yellow-legged hornet has an orange face, yellow tarsi, and a dark body with a single pale band. It builds aerial nests high in trees and structures. This insect is a serious honey bee predator in Europe and Asia, according to the University of Georgia.
The asian hornet is under watch here. Reporting of new species helps track invasive spread quickly.
Nests can be found hanging from branches, dug into soil, or tucked behind siding.
The bald-faced hornet is not a true hornet but builds a large grey spherical nest. Baldfaced hornets pack up to 700 workers inside.
Yellow jacket wasps can sting repeatedly, especially when you disturb their ground nest. Homeowners often confuse hornets and yellowjackets. Their yellowjacket nests often sit underground with a small entry hole and loose soil.
A paper wasp builds umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves. The European paper wasp has brown and yellow stripes and a slender body. Some black wasps mimic hornets. They have black with yellow markings that confuse many homeowners.
For more on types of wasps, see our Types of Wasp Nests: How to Identify and Remove Them guide. Proper ID matters for bees and wasps alike.
Bald-faced hornets build aerial nests in trees or on building exteriors. These paper nests in trees can hold hundreds of hornet workers.
Yellowjacket wasps nest in the ground. They build their nests underground, so watch for soil mounds. Workers leave the nest to forage and return loaded with prey. Male wasps stick close to the hole late in season.
True hornets and yellowjackets may use wall voids or attics for a suitable nest site. You might spot paper or frass near a nest entrance.
Every insect has a unique life cycle that affects how it builds or abandons nests.
In spring a queen builds her first comb. Eggs hatch and hornet larvae grow fast. During peak season nests contain hundreds of brood cells.
Not all species live in colonies. Solitary wasps and some solitary bees lay eggs in small nests out of mud or wood tunnels. These species of wasps rarely sting and help control spiders, including spider wasps.
Wasps are generally not aggressive when you are away from their nest. They rarely sting unless provoked.
These insects will sting repeatedly when defending a nest. They release alarm pheromones and call others.
According to UMD Extension, vibrations near a nest can trigger a defense surge.
Each hornet and wasp can deliver a painful sting that swells skin. Wasp stings can hurt for hours. Some people have a severe insect sting allergy.
Not every nest needs a spray. Use our integrated pest management approach to decide when to act. Remember, wasps are social insects that live in colonies of workers.
Keep lights dim and switch to yellow bulbs to reduce attraction. Install screens on vents and seal gaps around soffits.
Dust insecticide into wall voids so workers track it back to the queen. You can bag-off small aerial nests and drop them into soapy water. Remember, hornets build their nests from chewed wood fibers, so a thin bag can collapse them.
After frost, many nests are empty. You can knock down a dry paper nest with a broom. Wear gloves and eye protection.
Active nests hold hundreds of angry insects. Our registered technicians suit up with a bee veil, Tyvek® coveralls, and leather gauntlets. They know how to reduce stings.
In our family-run business, we use a 5-step home defense plan:
We serve Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, Reston, and all of Northern Virginia Pest Control.
Seal gaps around doors and windows. Install screens on vents. Hang decoy paper nests under eaves.
Remove fallen fruit promptly and trim trees near your roof. Switch to yellow bulbs and keep lights dim.
Our team at Better Termite & Pest Control is ready to help with any questions.
Call us at 703-683-2000 for an estimate or email [email protected].
The bald-faced hornet is often labeled the most aggressive hornet around homes. It defends its aerial nest fiercely.
The european hornet can deliver high venom volumes. It’s bigger than many wasps and its painful sting can be serious.
Yes. True hornets fall under genus Vespa. Other vespid wasps like paper wasps and yellow jacket wasps look similar but differ in size and nesting habits.
Look for a thick waist, large size, and distinct head shape. Identifying hornets often means spotting their paper nests in trees or voids.
DIY removal works for empty paper nests after frost. Active nests hold many hornet workers and require professional equipment.
If the nest is within 10 feet of doorways, play areas, or HVAC vents, call registered technicians. Proper gear cuts down sting risks.
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.
