Bald Faced Hornet
Bald-faced hornets are closely related to yellow jackets, but are easily distinguished by their black and white coloration. Bald-faced hornets are social insects which live in aerial nests. They build large football-shaped paper nests at least three or more feet off of the ground, usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These hanging nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length. The workers will aggressively defend their nest and attack anyone who approaches, stinging repeatedly if necessary.
CAUTION: BALD-FACED HORNETS ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE STINGING INSECT!!!
These wasps are rather large and are known to defend their nest aggressively when they feel threatened. They also can attack without being provoked, making them one of the more dangerous types of stinging insects. The biggest threat is that they tend to nest in structural voids, attics, and cavities in residential areas. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season.
Bald Faced Hornet:
- Not a true hornet, but gets its common name for its large size and mostly black appearance with a white face
- Social insects that live in colonies of 100-400 members
- Appearing in late summer, they build large exposed football-sized nests in trees, shrubs, or on siding of home that can get to be the size of basketballs
- These hornets have smooth, non-barbed stingers, which enable them to sting more than once
- Stings carry venom, causing affected areas to swell, itch and burn in addition to risks of allergies and anaphylaxis
- Very aggressive and will attack if they feel threatened
How Altus Pest Control Can Get Rid of Bald Faced Hornets
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone or anything that invades their space. This makes bald-faced hornet removal somewhat difficult. If you find a bald-faced hornet nest on your home or property, do not attempt to remove it on your own as this can aggravate the colony and cause the hornets to sting. Contact Altus Pest Control professionals about hornet removal to avoid the risk of bald-faced hornet stings.
It is unlikely that these wasps will be drawn into traps or attracted to bait. Their nest must be dealt with directly and should be approached only by someone wearing all of the proper clothing to protect against stings. Our experienced pest control technicians will control them for you and keep your family safe.