Bald-faced hornets are aggressive, stinging insects that definitely make their presence known throughout the Warminster area.
The smartest thing that you can do when you believe that 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.
HOW TO IDENTIFY BALD-FACED HORNETS
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.
• WHAT DOES A BALD-FACED HORNET LOOK LIKE?
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.
• HOW BIG CAN BALD FACED-HORNETS GET?
Bald-faced hornets actually 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.
SIGNS OF A BALD-FACED HORNET PROBLEM
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.
• WHERE DO BALD-FACED HORNETS BUILD THEIR NESTS?
While some wasps and bees will 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 also may 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.
• WHAT ATTRACTS BALD-FACED HORNETS?
These wasps are mainly attracted to locations where they find the food that they like. The majority of their diet consists of insects like caterpillars, aphids and others that have soft bodies. Accordingly, properties that undergo regular pest control treatments appear less attractive to bald-faced hornets because there aren't so many insects to eat.
However, it is worth noting that the bald-faced hornet also will make a meal of nectar and pollen, especially in the late summer and early fall, and they are certainly 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 be attractive to bald-faced hornets.
ARE BALD-FACED HORNETS AGGRESSIVE?
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 a little too close to their nest. While bees are equipped with a smooth stinger and can only sting once, this is not the case with the bald-faced hornet. Their smooth stingers can be used again and again. Moreover, a bald-faced hornet that is on the attack sends out a pheromone that communicates an alarm to others in the colony. Being stung by one bald-faced hornet can quickly turn into an attack by dozens of insects.
• WILL BALD-FACED HORNETS ATTACK AT NIGHT?
Bald-faced hornets are visible and active throughout the daylight hours, but they return to the nest as the sun goes down. This makes nighttime attacks less common. However, they are not impossible. If someone inadvertently jostles or disturbs the nest, some of the more alert workers may become alarmed and begin attacking.
The hornets are drowsy and move more slowly after the sun goes down, making this the best opportunity to remove the nest. In fact, many exterminators may begin treatment with baits and then return in the evening to actually remove the nest.
BALD-FACED HORNET NESTS
This pest's distinctive nest can be quite large and intimidating. When placed close to an area where people frequently go, these nests become a serious threat.
• WHAT DOES A BALD-FACED HORNET NEST LOOK LIKE?
In the spring, bald-faced hornet queens begin construction on starter nests. Rotting wood is mixed with saliva and chewed to create a material that looks like paper. The queen lays eggs, and this first brood of workers makes the nest larger. A complete nest may measure about 18 inches in diameter and be two feet long. Usually, the nest has a rounded profile. Beneath the thick layers of paper-like covering are approximately three to four tiers of combs, and a single opening is found at the bottom of the nest.
• HOW TO LOCATE A BALD-FACED HORNET NEST
Sometimes, the nest is so large that it is obvious, especially when it is hanging from the eaves of a house or a nearby shrub. Other times, the nest's location is less obvious. These pests may place their nest in a dense tree canopy that is many feet off of the ground. It may be possible for people to follow bald-faced hornets back to the nest to learn its location, but it is not a good idea to try to remove it. That is a job that is best left to professionals.
• DO BALD-FACED HORNETS NEST IN THE GROUND?
Many species of bees and wasps do live in underground nests, but bald-faced hornets are not one of them. They prefer to have their nests suspended from elevated locations so that they are well out of the reach of common predators, including people.
WHY BALD-FACED HORNETS CAN BE DANGEROUS
Large and aggressive, bald-faced hornets are among some of the most feared of stinging insects. Their reputation is well-earned.
Unfortunately, bald-faced hornets have the potential to be quite dangerous. A non-allergic person who receives a single sting may be pretty uncomfortable, but their troubling symptoms should subside within a few hours.
It's people with allergies to stings or those who are stung multiple times that are more likely to be in grave danger. Some of these victims of stinging attacks have what's called a large local reaction to being stung. Perhaps they experience overall swelling of the body as well as some nausea and vomiting.
Other people are susceptible to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention. If you or a loved one suffers stings from bald-faced hornets and then has problems with breathing, swelling of the throat, dizziness and other worrisome symptoms, then it's best to go to the emergency room or call 911.
• CAN BALD-FACED HORNETS STING MORE THAN ONCE?
While some bee species have a barbed stinger that stays in the victim's skin, bald-faced hornets have smooth stingers that they can use repeatedly. A scared or threatened bald-faced hornet will continue to sting, and the pheromones that are produced by the attack may incite other colony members to join in.
• HOW FAR DO BALD-FACED HORNETS TRAVEL FROM THEIR NEST?
It is not unusual to find industrious bald-faced hornet workers foraging several hundred yards away from their nest. Scientists have discovered that the all-female workers can recognize their sisters when they are out and about. Even when far away from the nest, they can quickly and confidently find their way home.
KEEPING BALD-FACED HORNETS AWAY
As with most insect problems, prevention is the best cure. If you take these steps, then you are less likely to need professional bald-faced hornet removal.
• HOW TO DETER BALD-FACED HORNETS
Since food is what usually attracts bald-faced hornets, be sure to schedule regular pest control treatments to keep down the bug population in your yard. Planting blooming flowers and trees well away from structures and outdoor gathering spots may be another sensible measure.
When dining outdoors, store serving dishes inside or make certain that they are covered if they are being kept outside. Keep outdoor garbage cans clean, and if you become aware of any water leaks, have them repaired as the available water will attract bald-faced hornets too.
HOW TO TREAT FOR BALD-FACED HORNETS
Here 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.
