Bald-Faced Hornet

Pest Status:

Color:

black with white

Size:

Large 1/2 to 3/8 of an inch

A distant relative of the yellow jacket, it gets its name from its white face and aerial nest. It’s aggressive and could cause issues if infestations hit your yard

Facts about Bald-Faced Hornet And Nest

Here’s what you need to know.

Latin Name

Dolichovespula maculata

Facts about Bald-Faced Hornet

Keep these Bald-Faced Hornet facts in mind.

Where Do They Live?

Bald Faced Hornets are found throughout the United States and make their nests suspended above the ground. They’re large and easy to spot.

What Do They Eat?

They’re often attracted to human food, but they typically eat flower nectar and larvae can eat insect carrion for proteins.

How Did I Get Bald-Faced Hornets?

They love places to build nests high up, but sometimes the presence of lots of flowers or human foods with sugars could encourage them to stick around

How Serious Are Bald-Faced Hornet Problems?

You shouldn’t ignore this issue if you find out you’ve got an infestation.

Problem #1

The colonies can be extensive, so leaving the Bald-Faced Hornet nest in place could have you swamped with insects. They’ll make it very difficult for you to enjoy your outdoor areas.

Problem #2

The Bald-Faced hornet sting can cause allergic reactions in many humans. It can be challenging and cause for a hospital trip.

Problem #3

Removing a nest can be a dicey situation because of their aggression. It’s best to leave the bald-faced hornet nest removal to a professional.

What Can I Do about Bald Faced Hornets?

The best way to avoid a bald faced hornet sting is to prevent insects altogether. Seal up any cracks in the foundations, doors, or windows that the insects could creep into. If you see a nest, we recommend getting professional help.

Signs of a Bald-Faced Hornet Infestation?

They’re easy to spot flying around, and you might even be able to find the nest. You shouldn’t have much trouble figuring out if you’ve got a problem.
Bald-Faced Hornet Prevention and Control Tips

Consider these options.

Control tip #1

Make sure to seal any potential openings in your house that these insects could sneak into. This can protect you while you’re in your home.

Control tip #2

Avoid the bald-faced hornet nest if you find it. Get a professional for safe removal.

Control tip #3

Cover food when you’re outdoors to prevent attracting hornets to where you are. Food can be a big attraction.
Bald Faced Hornet Professional Pest Control

This type of insect is best left to professionals to handle. It’s aggressive, hosts a large colony, and could potentially be very difficult to remove on your own.

FAQ’s

How to get rid of bald faced hornets?

To get rid of bald-faced hornets, kill the ones that are in the nest using a specialist spray. If you use other kinds of insecticide, the hornets will suffer a prolonged death, during which time they are highly likely to sting you. Once you are sure they are all dead you can remove the nest. Or, if you want to be on the safe side you can contact us at PestGuide and let us take care of the problem for you.

How dangerous are bald faced hornets?

Bald-Faced Hornets can sting multiple times because their stingers are not barbed. A Bald-Faced Hornet’s sting is painful because it contains venom. The venom injected by the stinger can make the stings hurt, itch and swell for about 24 hours.

How do you get rid of a bald faced hornet nest?

To effectively kill a baldfaced hornet nest, you have to spray inside the opening of the nest, which is dangerous. Worse, some do-it-yourselfers suggest getting the spray nozzle right into the opening in the hopes that the spray will block hornets from escaping and stinging you.

Is it safe to kill bald faced hornets?

The easiest method of killing bald faced hornets is to use an insecticide spray that specifically targets their kind. However, there’s no need to kill a bald-faced hornet and in fact, it’s best to leave a hornet nest alone. Not only is it dangerous to try to remove a hornet’s nest without professional help, but hornets are also beneficial insects that provide pest control.