Seeing hornets swarming around your property is an unpleasant experience. These large bugs with big stingers get aggressive when provoked and will defend their colony and queen at all costs. They'll make their home wherever they have easy access to a food source. Depending on the type of hornet, they'll nest in your home, garage, or trees. While stings rarely result in serious side effects, they are very painful, and you should avoid them at all costs.
It's not smart to try to remove a nest on your own, and many do-it-yourself hornet control methods fail to fully solve the problem. Learn more about the types of hornets in our local area in the guide below and how Go-Forth Home Services can stop an infestation.
Is This A Hornet?
Knowing how to properly identify hornets allows you to call for help right away in the event of an infestation. Hornets are large stinging insects that are closely related to bees and wasps. European hornets have a pale face and a body with brown and yellow stripes. They're about an inch to an inch and a half in length, have six legs, and two pairs of wings. Bald-faced hornets have a white face with a black and white patterned body. They're smaller than European hornets, about a half of an inch to 5/8" in length.
Both types of hornets are social insects that build nests and live in large colonies. Colonies consist of several workers and a queen, who is larger than the rest of the population. Hornets sting when provoked or if they believe their nest is in danger. While their stings are very painful, most don't require medical attention. A hornet sting may cause a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis in rare cases. It's important to get rid of hornets as soon as possible to keep you and your family safe.
Ways To Deter Hornets In Greensboro
Discovering hornets in your yard can be alarming. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these frightening pests from making a home on your property. Here are some top tips to keep hornets away.
- Keep garbage cans covered.
- Remove food scraps from your outdoor eating areas and grill.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home's walls and foundation.
- Repair or replace broken screens in doors and windows.
- Avoid wearing perfume outdoors.
- Cover compost piles.
- Repair and replace rotted or damaged wood framing throughout your home.
- Declutter your attic and crawl spaces.
- Plant natural hornet-repellent plants like citronella, thyme, and eucalyptus.
- Consider using a fake wasp nest to trick stinging insects into thinking your yard is another bug's territory.
When simple prevention methods fail, contact Go-Forth Home Services, an expert in the removal of stinging insects in Greensboro.
Where Is The Hornets Nest On My Property?
European hornets prefer to nest in hollow trees, barns, and hollowed-out wood in people's homes. Homeowners commonly find them in their attics. When visible, these nests look like a brown envelope. These hornets make their habitats out of chewed-up cellulose from rotting and decayed wood.
The nests of bald-faced hornets look very similar to those of paper wasps. They have a paper or cardboard carton-like appearance, and the hornets build them at least three feet from the ground. You may find a bald-faced hornet nest hanging from a tree or a bush. You may also discover them dangling from utility poles and houses.
Because hornets become aggressive when provoked, it's not a good idea to try to remove a nest by yourself. A professional exterminator with experience in hornet removal will get the job done safely.
Professional Pest Control To Help With Hornets
Removal of a hornet's nest is a job for a professional. Go-Forth Home Services has been a reliable source of pest control in Greensboro for decades. We'll use the latest in extermination technology to eliminate these stinging insects for good. Schedule an appointment today.