Plenty of adorable creatures come out in the summertime: honeybees buzz from flower to flower, butterflies float through your garden, and fireflies light up the night.
Unlike these admirable insects, hornets can also appear when you least expect them. Hornets are among the most aggressive, relentless insects in Pennsylvania. We’ll start off by saying that if you ever come across a hornet, steer clear and contact a professional.
Appearance
How can you identify hornets on your property? This can be tough, since they somewhat resemble their yellow jacket cousins with 6 legs, 2 antennae, and smooth bodies.
One way to tell the difference is by their size. Hornets are larger than yellow jackets, with some species like the Asian giant hornet reaching up to 2 inches.
Stingers
Another important thing to know about hornets is that their stingers are smooth, allowing them to attack their prey more than once. These stings hurt significantly and can have serious health consequences for those with allergies.
Species
The most common species of hornets in Pennsylvania are whiteface, or bald-face, hornets. These guys get their name from their mostly-black bodies with a predominantly white face.
Hornets are not to be trifled with. They’re aggressive and territorial, and simply being near their nest can result in major stings.
This is why it’s imperative that you do not attempt to remove a hornet nest on your own, but instead contact us as soon as possible.
Nests
Hornet nests are large, grey, oval-shaped objects that can measure up to two feet in diameter. They’re also quite unique in appearance, since they look like they’re made of paper. Hornets build their nests by chewing up wood, combining it with their saliva, and making a pulp mixture. They then build their nest in high-up areas protected from the elements.
Common spots for hornet nests are:
- Attics
- Soffits
- Utility poles
- Porch Ceilings
- Tree Branches
Hornet Nest Removal
Now that you have an idea of what makes hornets so risky, you’ll probably understand why hornet nest removal should not be done on your own. We have multiple approaches to remove hornet nests in Pennsylvania and will be glad to take care of it for you.
First, we identify what species of hornet you’re dealing with and evaluate where the nest is located. This way we can make a specific, effective plan for you and your property.
In terms of removal, we can use chemical or non-chemical methods to eliminate the hornet nest, depending on its placement.
Chemical methods include:
- Aerosol Sprays
- Liquid Sprays
- Insecticide Dust
A non-chemical method of hornet nest removal is approaching the nest at night, wrapping it in heavy plastic bags, and physically removing it.
No matter what method is chosen, we use plenty of professional-grade protective gear.
Removing a hornet nest in Pennsylvania is a risky endeavor, which is why it should only be done by professionals. If you have noticed a significant amount of hornets on your property or have spotted a nest itself, please reach out as soon as possible!
