Hornet Treatment
How Do I Identify A Hornet Infestation?
Appearance - Hornets are often confused for bees but are actually a type of wasp. Bald faced hornets look similar to yellow jackets, but with large with white markings on their heads. European hornets are red/brown in color.
Behavior - The easiest way to identify a hornet problem is by finding a hornet nest along with a swarm of hornets around them. Hornet nests are made from wood which is chewed into a pulp. They are papery in appearance. It is common to see hornets building their new nests in the spring.
Why Could I Have Hornets?
Hornets need a place to build their nests. Awnings, window sills, gutters, or any other piece of property that can give them a ledge to build off of can be a place to establish a hive. If your residence has any of these available to hornets, then you may be at risk for a hornet problem.
Beyond just homes, hornets also find new living space in trees. Because their nests are made of a combination of hornet saliva and wood fibers, this is the perfect place to find a home. By that point hornet control by a professional is necessary.
Why Should I Treat My Hornet Problem Immediately?
Hornet stings are painful and dangerous. The worker hornets will aggressively defend their homes. Hornets do not die after a sting like bees do, so they can continuously sting you and cause damage or even fatalities if too many attacks you or your family. Additionally, hornets can release an attack pheromone which can trigger other hornets to attack. If allergic, a sting can be you into anaphylactic shock, which is a life-threatening situation. hornet removal is the step you must take to regain safety around your home and yard.
How to Get Rid of Hornets
Bees, wasps, and hornets are all stinging insects. They share many similarities. All fly and have yellow and black coloring. But there are major differences as well. Most importantly, wasps and hornets can sting multiple times. Hornets are larger than wither bees or wasps. They have a long body and tend to be social insects. Many wasps species, on the other hand, are solitary.
Hornets being a social pest can be a problem for homeowners. If you disturb a nest, you can be seriously injured by hornet stings. That is why it is important to remove hornets from your home and yard immediately.
How Do I Spot a Hornet Problem?
Spotting a hornet problem is not that hard. The best sign that you have hornets living nearby is actually seeing a hornet. Viewing a single hornet in your yard may not signify a problem. However, if you ever see a hornet in your home, you should contact a professional pest control company immediately. There may be a nest in the walls of your home, which can be a safety risk.
Other signs of a hornet problem include the following.
- Seeing a hornet nest in the attic, shed, garage, or under the roof of your home.
Hornet nests are free-hanging and round. They are typically the size of a football. - You hear buzzing.
This could be a sign that multiple hornets are nearby.
How Do I Get Rid of Hornets?
Hornets are a dangerous pest. A swarm of stinging hornets can kill a person. Plus, some people are allergic to hornet stings, which makes it even more likely that they will be seriously injured by a hornet sting.
Follow these tips to get rid of hornets fast.
- Use a long-distance spray.
You can occasionally find hornet insecticide in stores. You want to make sure to purchase a long-distance spray. This is crucial, as you do not want to be anywhere near the hornet nest.
Follow the instructions on your insecticide. Most products will have you spray the product, wait a few hours, and spray again. If the hornets have been killed, then you can remove and dispose of the nest.
- Contact the professionals.
As we have mentioned multiple times throughout this post, hornet nests are extremely dangerous. By far your best course of action when discovering one is to call the professionals. Pest control companies have the equipment needed to keep themselves and you safe during the hornet removal process.
Many exterminators also have multiple hornet removal options. They could use chemical or non-chemical means to dispose of the hornets and nest. They can also educate you on hornet prevention options.
To stay as safe as possible, never try to handle a hornet problem yourself. Use GoLocal Pest Control to find the best hornet removal company in your area. And then let them handle the problem for you. To learn more about our process here at GoLocal Pest Control, visit our website here.
How to Prevent Hornets
You may have noticed that hornets and wasps look very similar. In fact, hornets are the largest type of wasp. They are related to yellow jackets as well. There are twenty species of hornets in the world. Most hornets actually live in Asia, but some are found in the United States.
Hornets can be aggressive. They are predators and will eat other insects as well as tree sap and leaves. They can sting multiple times and most often live in large hives. While a few hornets passing through your yard is not a bad thing, you don't want a hornet hive on your property. They can be very dangerous to have around.
Why Do I Have Hornets?
There are a few reasons why hornets may be attracted to your yard. Understanding these reasons will aid in their prevention.
- Your yard has good, protected spots for hives.
Hornets prefer to build their nests in sheltered locations. Under overhangs, in siding, or even on a porch are all common locations for hornet nests. If your property includes a lot of good nesting locations, you may end up with a hive. - There are lots of food sources around.
Hornets prefer to build their hives where there is a ready source of food. So, if there are a lot of insects and plants around to feed the hornets, they may decide to stay in your yard. Lots of open trash also appeals to hornets. - Your buildings have openings.
If your buildings have openings in the siding or other areas, you are more likely to notice a hornet nest. These secure locations provide easy access for the hornets.
How Do I Prevent Hornets?
Hornets are dangerous to humans and our pets. You don't want a hornet hive in your home or outbuildings. It is very likely that someone could be accidentally stung. The best thing to do is prevent hornets from setting up shop.
- Keep all trash secured and covered.
Hornets are more likely to stay in your yard if you have a lot of open trash cans. Always make sure your trash cans are closed and locked. Don't let the trash pile up and you are much less likely to have a hornet problem. - Plant hornet-repellent plants.
Hornets don't like all plants. Spearmint, thyme, wormwood, and citronella are all plants that repel hornets. Plant them around your yard to keep the hornets out. - Fix any holes in your siding or eaves.
Hornets cannot nest in your home if there is no place for them. Make sure to fix any holes or cracks in the outside of your buildings. This will prevent hornets from living there. - Contact hornet removal services.
The best way to prevent hornets is to contact an exterminator. Your technician will be able to tell you the steps to take to keep hornets out. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the best hornet removal services in your area. Contact us today.
What Do Hornets Look Like?
Hornets are the largest type of social wasp. That means they can be hard to tell apart from the wasp. There are some differences, however. Understanding the different appearances of hornets and wasps will help you determine what species are invading your yard. In the rest of this article, we will tell you what hornets look like, and the most common species found in the United States.
How Many Species of Hornet Are There?
Hornets are part of the genus Vespa. There are only 22 species in the Vespa genus worldwide. That is much less than the 30,000 identified species of wasp. Most of the twenty-two species in Vespa are found in Asia. The European hornet can be found in many countries, including throughout Europe, Russia, North America, and Northeast Asia. The European hornet is the most likely hornet species you will find in the United States.
Wasps in the Dolichovespula genus are also called hornets in the United States. They go by the colloquial name, bald-faced hornets. However, wasps in the Dolichovespula genus are actually yellow jackets, not hornets. Because of that distinction, we will focus on the European hornet in our description below. A description of the Dolichovespula wasps can be found on our yellow jacket page.
What Do Hornets Look Like?
Throughout the United States, you are most likely to run into is the European hornet. These are large flying insects. They range from 18-28mm in length. They have six legs, antennae, and are brown with yellow stripes on their abdomen. European hornets also have a pale yellow face.
European hornets can be found from the Eastern Dakotas to New Orleans in the south and the whole of the eastern seaboard. Their range encompasses thirty-one states.
Hornet society is arranged like other social wasps. They make a paper nest that houses the entire community. The nest is often hung in trees or shrubs. However, a few Vespa species do make their nests in the ground. These hornets are found in Asia. The European hornet makes a hanging nest often found in trees.
European hornets can become a problem if they decide to build their nests in your buildings. This pest can use their stingers multiple times and their communities can house hundreds of members. That's a lot of potential hornet stings. In fact, hornets can be deadly if you approach their nest unprepared.
European hornet nests are brown in appearance. The brown color comes from their enclosing envelope if the nest does not have external protection. Nests in protected locations, like inside your walls or in attics will not have the protective covering. You will just see the many cells of the nest.
Do not try to remove a hornet infestation yourself. These pests are just too dangerous to mess with. If you notice the signs of a hornet infestation, contact the professionals right away. You can find the best companies in your location by contacting GoLocal Pest Control. Our database can help you find the best hornet removal near you.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help With Hornets
Hornets have never been a pest you wanted in your yard. And now that the Asian Giant Hornet, or "murder hornet" have begun invading the country, you especially don't want these stinging insects around. The "murder hornet" may not seek out humans to harm. But they do kill honeybees, which are essential for pollination.
To keep all hornets out of your home and yard, you need professional extermination services. If you've never hired a pest control company before, or even if you have, the tips in this article will help you find an exterminator to help with hornets.
What Should I Look for in a Hornet Exterminator?
There are a lot of things to look for in a hornet exterminator. Most importantly, the exterminator should have experience with hornets. That doesn't just mean the pest control company has sprayed for bees in the past. Hornet control requires specific expertise. Any company you choose should have the experience to solve your hornet problem quickly and safely.
Ask any potential exterminator the following questions. Their answers will help you decide whether or not you want to use their services.
- What kinds of hornet jobs do you usually do?
- What is your treatment for hornets?
- Do you kill the hornets, or just remove the hive?
- Should I be nervous about "murder hornets"?
- What are your safety precautions for dealing with hornets?
- What happens if the hornet nest has damaged a portion of my home?
What Should I Expect from Hornet Exterminators?
There are several hornet treatments. Often companies have a treatment or two that they prefer. The treatment your technician uses will depend on the size of the hive and its location. To determine the right course of action, the technician will first perform an inspection. Most of the best pest control companies will offer this service for free.
After the inspection comes the treatment. This may include chemical treatments or non-chemical removal of the nest. When chemical treatments are used the hornets are killed. Often these treatments are in the form of insecticide sprays.
Non-chemical removal can only be performed if the nest is in a good location. It is usually done at night because all of the hornets will be in the nest. Bags are used to seal the hive before it is removed. Finally, the technician will discuss prevention options with you so that the hornet problem does not reappear.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Hornets?
Local exterminators are always the best way to go. They know the exact variety of hornets in your area. They are also more likely to provide you with individualized treatment. The best way to find a good exterminator in your area is to use the location finder at GoLocal Pest Control. We have already vetted each of the companies in our database. That means you can trust that any results for your location will be reliable, experienced, and professional.