Bald-faced hornets are aggressive, stinging insects that definitely make their presence known throughout the Warminster area.
The smartest thing you can do when you believe you have a bald-faced hornet infestation around your home or office is to call an exterminator at the first sign of a problem. Early removal of the nest ensures that people and pets will not become the victims of a stinging attack.
Read on to learn more about identifying bald-faced hornets and how exterminators can help you get rid of these pests for good.
It is easy to mistake a bald-faced hornet for many other species of bees and wasps that may have a similar size and coloring. However, because of the extremely aggressive nature of the bald-faced hornet, it's wise to be able to distinguish this species from others.
Most of this insect's body is colored black, but they do have distinctive white markings on their faces, which is where they get their name. Additional white markings may be seen on the insect's abdomen, close to where their stinger is located. They have six legs and an overall shape that is long and slender.
Because the colony's workers are all female, all of these insects are equipped with stingers. Male drones do not have stingers.
Bald-faced hornets are close relatives of yellow jacket wasps, but they tend to be a little larger. This means that workers frequently reach a length of three-quarters of an inch. Queens, the reproductive females that rarely leave the nest, generally are a little bigger than the workers.
Do darting, buzzing insects attack you each time you leave your home? If so, then you may have a bald-faced hornet nest on your property.
While some wasps and bees build underground nests, this is not the usual habitat for bald-faced hornets. Instead, they suspend their nests from elevated locations like trees or utility poles. Nests may also be found hanging from shrubs, fencing, or the overhang of a building. The elevated nest is placed at least three feet above the ground's surface to protect it from predators like raccoons and opossums. Occasionally, the nest is placed many feet above the ground in a dense overgrowth of trees.
These wasps are mainly attracted to locations where they find the food they like. The majority of their diet consists of insects like caterpillars, aphids, and others that have soft bodies. Properties that undergo regular pest control treatments appear less attractive to bald-faced hornets because there aren't as many insects to eat.
However, bald-faced hornets also feed on nectar and pollen, especially in the late summer and early fall, and they are drawn to the meat and sugary foods that people love. If you have lots of blooming flowers and eat outdoors frequently, your yard is more likely to attract bald-faced hornets.
One of this pest's most distinguishing characteristics is its propensity for aggression. If you want to prevent your family and neighbors from suffering multiple painful stings, then professional bald-faced hornet control is a necessity.
Stinging attacks are virtually inevitable when you are dealing with a bald-faced hornet infestation. Extremely territorial, the workers of the colony will attack anyone who gets too close to their nest. Unlike bees, bald-faced hornets have smooth stingers, allowing them to sting multiple times. Moreover, a bald-faced hornet on the attack releases a pheromone that alerts others in the colony, potentially escalating the attack.
Bald-faced hornets are visible and active throughout the daylight hours but return to the nest as the sun goes down. This makes nighttime attacks less common, though not impossible. If someone inadvertently disturbs the nest, alert workers may become alarmed and attack.
Because the hornets are drowsy and move more slowly after sunset, this is often the best time to remove the nest. Many exterminators begin treatment with baits and return in the evening to remove the nest.
The nests of bald-faced hornets can be quite large and intimidating. When placed close to areas where people frequently go, these nests become a serious threat.
In the spring, bald-faced hornet queens begin constructing starter nests. Rotting wood is mixed with saliva and chewed to create a material that looks like paper. The queen lays eggs, and the first brood of workers expands the nest. A complete nest may measure about 18 inches in diameter and be two feet long. Typically, the nest has a rounded profile with approximately three to four tiers of combs beneath its thick, paper-like covering. A single opening is found at the bottom of the nest.
Sometimes, the nest is so large that it is obvious, especially when it hangs from the eaves of a house or a nearby shrub. Other times, it is less visible, hidden high in a dense tree canopy. Following bald-faced hornets back to their nest may help locate it, but removal should be left to professionals.
Unlike some bee and wasp species, bald-faced hornets do not build underground nests. They prefer suspended nests to keep them out of reach of predators.
Large and aggressive, bald-faced hornets are among the most feared stinging insects.
For most people, a single sting is painful but not life-threatening. However, individuals with allergies or those who suffer multiple stings may experience severe reactions. In some cases, victims develop anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention.
Unlike bees, bald-faced hornets have smooth stingers that allow them to sting repeatedly. Their attack pheromones can also alert others in the colony to join in.
Bald-faced hornet workers can forage several hundred yards away from their nest and are adept at finding their way home.
Prevention is the best way to avoid a hornet infestation. Regular pest control treatments help reduce the number of insects in your yard, making it less attractive to bald-faced hornets.
Store serving dishes inside or cover them when eating outdoors. Keep outdoor garbage cans clean and repair any water leaks, as standing water can attract bald-faced hornets.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use advanced detection, prevention, and treatment methods to ensure your home or business remains free of wasps and hornets.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
