Hornets

About Michigan Hornets

Bald-faced hornets

Bald-faced Hornets belong to a genus of yellow jackets. They are given the name “hornet” due to their size and nesting habits. Bald-faced Hornets typically have black and white markings and build their nests in trees or scrubs. The nests are typically oval or tear-drop shaped and consist of a papery material. Much like yellow jackets, Bald-faced Hornet’s nest are built each season by an overwintered queen. Females are known for defending their hanging paper nests with repeated stings.
 

European hornets

​Also called giant hornet or the brown hornet, European hornet adults have a brown body with yellow stripes on the abdomen. European hornets are much larger than yellowjackets and, unlike most stinging insects, can be active at night. They are a very large species of hornet with adults growing to between 3/4 and 1 ½ inches in length. They have a long body that is very robust in appearance.
 

Are hornets dangerous?

Yes, hornets are considered to be a dangerous pest. They are aggressive and will sting a perceived threat to protect themselves or their nest. Hornets have a smooth stinger which means that they can repeatedly sting their victim over and over again, injecting them with more and more venom. Stings from hornets usually cause swollen, painful, itchy welts and can cause serious allergic reactions in some, that require immediate medical attention. In addition to being dangerous to people, European hornets can cause damage to trees and shrubs; they strip their bark to build their nests with and to gain access to sap to feed on.
 

Where do hornets nest?

Hornets usually create aerial nests. European hornets tend to create their nests inside of tree cavities, barns and other out buildings, along with inside of chimneys, attics, and wall voids. Bald-faced hornets create their nests in trees, shrubs, on utility poles, overhangs, and on the sides of homes, sheds and other buildings.
 

How do you get rid of hornets?

Hornets that create their nest out of the way of you and your family should be left alone, hornets are beneficial because they do pollenate a variety of crops and plants, along with hunting for and feeding on a wide range of nuisance insects. However, if hornets have built a nest in, on or near your home and have become a danger to you and your family you should get professional help to remove them from your property as quickly as possible. At Pest Masters our technicians are trained and have the proper equipment to safely remove hornets from your home and property. Request our service today for more information about our hornet control services.
 

Hornet prevention tips

Preventing hornets from choosing your property to nest on is a difficult task, however there are some things that you can do around you property to help prevent problems with these potentially dangerous pests.

• European hornets are attracted to outside lights; replace white outdoor lightbulbs with less attractive yellow lightbulbs.
• Reduce the amount of flowering and fruit producing vegetation that is planted near your home.
• Fix clogged gutters and leaky fixtures to limit water sources.
• Repair loose or missing roof shingles and holes found along the roof line.
• Make sure that all chimneys have tight fitting caps on them.
• Seal cracks and crevices found in the exterior walls and foundation of your home.

Need Hornet Control Services? Call Pest Masters!

We’ve provided pest control services in the Metro Detroit area since 1987, so nobody knows the local landscape for pests like Pest Masters.

Our technicians are trained and have the proper equipment to safely remove hornets from your home and property. Request our service today for more information about our hornet control services.

Rest assured that we’ll correctly identify the type of hornet that’s bugging you, create and execute a customized plan to remove them and ensure they don’t return. If they come back, we come back. No charge!

Contact us at (800) 934-4770 for the safest and most effective pest control available in your area.