With their smooth stingers, bald-faced hornets are well-adapted to deliver many painful stings. Unlike bees, stinging does not kill the bald-faced hornet, and these insects emit pheromones during an attack that incites other colony members to join in.
A relative of the yellow jacket, bald-faced hornets are found throughout Bucks County and the U.S., and widely recognized for their aggressive behavior. Colonies of these insects build large nests and adopt a blatantly territorial attitude about the nest's location. Consequently, a bald-faced hornet nest that is established close to or on a building puts the property's human occupants at high risk for stinging attacks.
This means that it is wise for people to be vigilant when they see the first signs of a bald-faced hornet nest on their property. The early stage of construction is the best time for removal and control because the colony is small. Later in the summer, when the colony may have hundreds of members, removal still is possible but poses dangerous risks.
It is rarely sensible for people to attempt to control a bald-faced hornet infestation without the assistance of an exterminator. Thanks to their training and experience, pest management professionals are able to remove and destroy bald-faced hornet nests with a minimum of risk.
WHAT DO BALD-FACED HORNETS LOOK LIKE?
When compared to other wasps, it quickly becomes clear that the bald-faced hornet has a stouter body. While their bodies are almost entirely black, they have unusual, bright white markings on their faces that give these insects their name and distinguish them from other wasp species. Equipped with obvious, oversized antennae, the bald-faced hornet is well adapted to find food and water. The rarely seen colony queen frequently measures an impressive three-quarters of an inch while the workers are one-half to five-eighths of an inch long.
WHERE DO BALD-FACED-HORNETS LIVE?
Bald-faced hornet queens usually build new nests each spring. An elevated location is preferred, generally more than three feet off of the ground to protect the nest from predators such as foxes and raccoons.
The queen may look for a location that features a dense tree canopy, which can mean that the nest is positioned more than 60 feet above the ground's surface. Other likely places from which to suspend a nest include utility poles, overhangs on buildings and large shrubs.
The bald-faced hornet nest is made from several layers of combs that are roughly shaped like hexagons. A cover is constructed by the colony's workers by chewing wood fibers that are mixed with saliva. When finished, the cover looks as if it were made of paper.
It is possible to identify a bald-faced hornet nest by its football shape and gray coloring. When complete, a typical nest may measure 24 inches in length and be 18 inches around.
WHAT DO BALD-FACED HORNETS EAT?
Scientists classify bald-faced hornets as carnivorous insects. This means that they get most of their nutrition from eating other insects, like flies and bees, as well as spiders and arthropods. Sweet substances also may be consumed. These include fruit, sap from trees and nectar from flowers.
Meat is a favorite food of the bald-faced hornet, so homeowners can expect unwelcome guests at any picnic or barbecue. However, these pests do not just seek hamburgers and hot dogs. They also may take advantage of fruit, juice, soda, salad dressing and condiments. When a colony is living on the property and people attempt to eat outdoors, the risk for stinging attacks rises exponentially.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BALD-FACED HORNETS
Bald-faced hornets generally do not cause damage to property. Still, they have an adverse effect on the quality of life of any people who live nearby. Many unsuspecting people become the victims of unexpected stinging attacks by dozens of bald-faced hornets simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The only way to avoid such attacks is to have the nest professionally removed and destroyed.
ARE BALD-FACED HORNETS AGGRESSIVE?
Members of a species that is recognized across the board for their aggression, bald-faced hornets are known for their tendency to be territorial and to attack with little or no provocation. These insects are easily disturbed by loud noises and vibrations. Mowing a lawn or using power tools anywhere on the property may incite a stinging attack. It also is worth being aware that children running and playing in the yard further may inadvertently alarm the colony and receive many painful stings.
When people receive multiple stings, they are likely to require medical treatment. Even if this is not needed, the sting of the bald-faced hornet is known to be among the most painful or all stings. Science even indicates that these insects have the ability to recall human faces. Once someone is targeted by the colony, they are more susceptible to being attacked again.
DO BALD-FACED HORNETS CARRY DISEASE?
Localized reactions are the most common with a bald-faced hornet sting. Lasting a few hours, the symptoms may include swelling, redness, pain and warmth in the sting area.
Other sting victims may have a large local reaction that may cause them to suffer overall swelling, nausea and extreme fatigue. Sometimes lasting for as long as seven days, people also may have to deal with a secondary bacterial infection brought on by excessive scratching.
Whole body or systemic reactions are rarer, but people who have allergies to stings or who are stung multiple times may find that their lives are in danger. These people are at risk for going into a condition known as anaphylaxis, which is characterized by disturbances to the circulatory system, difficulty breathing and dangerously low blood pressure.
HOW TO DETECT BALD-FACED HORNETS
Signs of a bald-faced hornet problem include:
• Wasps discovered in garbage cans • Stinging insects found inside the home • Being dive-bombed by buzzing insects • Nests hanging from a suspended location
HOW TO PREVENT BALD-FACED HORNETS
To help protect against bald-faced hornet issues the following precautions should be taken:
• Use only garbage cans that have lids • Routinely clean garbage cans • Cover food when eating outdoors • Fix water leaks • Have pest control services regularly to eliminate food sources • Routinely inspect the property for signs of new nests • Seal up holes or gaps in building exteriors • Ensure that window and door screens do not have holes
HOW TO TREAT FOR BALD-FACED HORNETS
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use a multi-faceted approach for treating hornets and wasps that have become problematic for area homes and businesses. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatments methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps and hornets.
