Do You Have a Hornet Nest?

Hornets are aggressive, and that can be a big problem if you or a member of your household is allergic to stings. This is especially harrowing when you consider that hornets and wasps kill more people each year than aggressive dogs or venomous snakes. This makes it vital that you detect nests quickly and do something about it before the insects become a threat. Here are four hornet nest signs to look out for when you are outside inspecting your Central Illinois home:

• More wasps than usual: If your once yellowjacket- or wasp-free yard suddenly features these flying insects, it is very likely they are making themselves at home. It is easy to confuse some species with helpful pollinators, so it is a good idea to educate yourself first before reacting. For example, yellowjackets are distinguished from honey bees by their orange body color and sporadic side-to-side flying. Hornets are larger, with full bodies. They release the most venom when they sting and are quite dangerous.
• Weird structures: Hornets build nests usually in doorways, under roof eaves and in trees. Any spot on your home that is tight and secluded is a welcome respite for hornets. Check these spots for the very beginning of a nest (usually a honeycomb type of structure that appears to be made of paper). Use an aerosol pesticide made specifically for hornet nests at dusk to stop them before they are finished. If you wait for the nest to be completed, you will face more hornets and a higher possibility of being stung.
• Holes in the ground: Hornets do not limit their nests to hanging models—they will also occupy abandoned snake or rodent holes. This can lead to danger because, as people walk over underground nests or play in the yard, the insects become agitated and are likely to swarm up and sting. If you find holes in the ground and see hornets or yellow jackets emerging from them, find a pesticide and spray it down the hole. Just as with hanging nests, the safest time to do this is at dusk when hornets and yellowjackets reduce their activity.
• Fully formed nests: Sometimes, these insects become crafty and you do not see a nest until it is too late. When you are doing yard work this spring, be careful around garden sheds, outdoor shutters and roof eaves. Also be aware that wasps and hornets will make themselves at home in your attic or garage. Anytime you see more of these insects, be aware of your surroundings and do not reach up into any spot where you cannot see where you are putting your hand. You need to find wasps before there is an ER visit—not after.

If you do not want to risk being stung, professional pest control services can help you remove wasp and hornet nests. At Crist Termite and Pest Solutions, Inc., we apply targeted pest control methods for households throughout Central Illinois. Contact us today when you see the first hornet nest signs.

Categorised in: Hornet Control