You might have hornets if you see a nest of papery insects hanging from a nearby tree or at the home’s edge. This is a particularly troublesome species of wasp. Learn how to eliminate hornets from your yard.
Although hornets are an important part of the ecosystem, they can also be a pest to plants and flowers. It’s better to remove them from your yard than wait for them to multiply, especially if they are a problem for children, pets or people with allergies. Don’t wait for hornets to grow!
How to tell if you have hornets
At first glance, hornets and their nests may look like yellow jackets or bees. Knowing what kind of bugs you are dealing with is crucial so that you can decide the best course of action as well as the right products. These are some tips to help you identify hornets, and distinguish them from other stinging insects.
Hornets
Two main types of hornets might be in your yard: European Hornets, and Bald-faced Hornets. The European hornet is typically between 1 and 1.5 inches in length and has yellow rings around the back and a yellow-face. They prefer to build their nests at least 6 ft above the ground. However, they are active both at night and during the day.
Bald-faced Hornets are smaller and can be distinguished by the black rings around them eyes. Their nests can reach up to 2 feet in length and have a texture similar to papier-mache. Both species are aggressive and release more venom than any other stinging insect.
Wasps
The wasp family includes hornets and yellow jackets as well as other species. The most common American species are paper wasps. They have slender thoraxes and black-and-yellow-striped bodies. Red wasps are a particularly aggressive species with a reddish-orange coloring and are common in the South. Professional removal is required.
Yellow jackets
Yellow jackets are a dangerous wasp species. Although they may look like bees initially, their bright yellow and black stripes make them appear similar to bees. However, they are a gentler species and can sting multiple people if threatened. Yellow jacket nests are often underground.
Bees
Beneficial insects, bees have round and fuzzy black and yellow bodies with blunt stingers that can’t always be seen. They are not aggressive unless threatened, and they are important pollinators for the garden ecosystem. You can hire a humane service to remove the bees’ nest and relocate it to a safer place.
Materials Required to Get Rid Of Hornets
You will need different materials depending on whether you are using a synthetic insecticide hornet spray, or a chemical-free trap. The following table lists the materials you will need for each method:
| Hornet Spray/Insecticide Removal | Hornet Trap Removal |
| Hornet spray | Protective clothing |
| Protective clothing (long sleeves, thick socks and safety goggles for face masks) | Bait (such as overripe fruits, juices, pet food or soda) |
| 2-liter soda bottle | |
| Masking tape | |
| Trash bag | |
| If you don’t want to DIY, then buy a store-bought hornet trap or wasp trap. |
Hornet spray: How to Get Rid Of Hornets
Hornet spray is a simple and effective method to eliminate hornets from your home. This proven method kills hornets immediately upon contact. It also allows for the safe removal of nests. Aerosol sprays that are effective will be self-propellent so you don’t have to touch them. You should look for sprays that are “long-distance” and “flying insects”.
Not recommended for severe hornet infestations or nests at high points that would require the use a ladder. A professional pest controller or exterminator can remove nests using safe methods.
Step 1: Safety first
As you get ready to spray hornet spray, be sure to take safety into consideration. First, find the nest of the hornet. If the nest is too high that you would need to climb a ladder, spray it down and call a professional. Wandering hornets and tall heights are not a good combination!
Before you head to the nest, make sure you have all your protective gear. Protect yourself against potential stings by wearing long sleeves, pants, thick gloves, eye-goggles, thick gloves, and a face mask or bandana.
Step 2: Approaching the Nest
Once you are all dressed up, get your hornet spray. Night is the best time to spray hornets because more of them will be home and dormant. Because hornets can easily be agitated, they communicate information quickly via pheromones and can become aggressive if provoked by activity close to the nest. Spraying during the day is a good idea, because the hornets are very active.
Tip:Don’t spray directly under the nest’s opening. If hornets decide to visit your nest, you don’t want in their way!
Step 3: Spray and go Away
Spray the nest of hornets, being careful to avoid blowback from wind and any hornets who might escape the nest. Follow the directions and spray the entire area.
If possible, you should leave the nest alone for several hours. If you are certain that all hornets have died, it is unsafe to remove a nest.
Step 4: Recheck the removal
If you return to the nest to inspect it, check to see if any hornets seem to be buzzing around. Spray again if they are. Continue spraying until you see all the hornets dead.
The nest of sprayed hornets is full with insecticide and can be dangerous to the beneficial insects living in your yard. After the hornets are killed, you can immediately knock the nest down using a pole or broom. You should then dispose of the nest according to the spray instructions.
How to Get Rid Of Hornets Using a Hornet Trap (Pesticide Free)
Hornet spray can be harmful to beneficial insects in your garden. The oil-based chemical treatment can also cause damage to your plants. A hornet trap is another option to get rid of hornets. These traps are easily found at outdoor retailers and gardening centers, but you can also make them yourself.
This article will show you how to make your very own hornet trap and how to use it to get rid of the hornets from your yard.
Step 1: Gather materials
You can decide whether to DIY or buy your hornet trap, and then gather the materials that you will need. You will need a two-liter empty soda bottle and masking tape to make your own. You will need bait to attract the hornets for both types. You can try something sweet like overripe or ripe fruits, or food that is particularly sour like cat food.
Make your own hornet trap. Read on to find out how to make it. Using a garden store trap for hornets? Open the bottle and remove the cork. Then, place the bait in the bottom through the opening.
Step 2: Make Your DIY Hornet Trap
Cut the top of your 2-liter bottle at the point where it begins to taper towards the neck and opening. Next, place your bait in the bottom. Then, re-insert it upside down into its opening so that it forms a funnel towards the bottom. Although the bait will attract hornets, the narrow opening will make getting back out difficult.
You can seal your trap by applying masking tape around the edges. Voila! Your own homemade hornet trap.
Step 3: Position the Hornet Trap
Set your trap outside to attract the hornets. You want to place the trap near the nest to make it easy for them to find it. However, it is a bad idea to lure them to your home!
You can leave the trap alone for 24 hours, and then check it again the next day. It’s time to get rid of the trap if it’s full with hornets!
Step 4: Get rid of Hornets
You can remove hornets from your trap by dressing up in protective gear. Tape the trap or wrap plastic wrap around a bottle trap to seal it. You can also cork the top if the trap is reusable. Place the trap in a bag or freezer and let it cool. You can dispose of the hornets safely after they are killed by the cold.
Large hornet nests may need to be removed several times. If your trap is still being used, you can make another one or refill it with a reusable trap to restart the process.
Make sure you seal your hornet trap before you put it in the garbage or in a freezer. This will ensure that the hornets are kept inside and prevent them from looking for more food.
How to keep Hornets away from Coming Back
After you have dealt with a hornet infestation successfully, you won’t want to deal with another one. These are some ways to stop hornets returning to your yard.
Eliminate Food Sources
Hornets love fruit trees and flowers, so ensure that you maintain them regularly. Also, keep your planting plans away from high-traffic areas.
This post was written by a professional arborist at Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arborwise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree trimming services largo fl, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area.
