Bald Faced Hornet: How To Identify And Control

Bald-faced hornets are large, aggressive wasps recognizable by their black-and-white coloration. Here are key features for identification of these insects:

Physical Appearance

• Size: Bald faced hornets are about 0.75 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) long and this makes them larger compared to most wasp species.
• Coloration: They are designed with black and white stripes that make them unique. Their body is mostly black while on the face they possess a white color which makes them seem to be bald, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. They also have black legs which are divided into white sections.
• Head: It has a mostly white head that has a black design on it and the eyes are large and protruding. The face is painted white and black in the form of stripes or spots.
• Wings: The wings of both sexes are clear with a faint brown color and have a distinct black line in the middle of the wings.

Behavior

Bald Faced Hornets are aggressive bees that sting their perceived enemies especially when their nest is in danger. They are able to sting repeatedly and are very aggressive in protecting their colonies.

They have large, paper-like nests which are commonly seen today on tall trees or upper edges of buildings. The nests are grayish and have a layered structure with an appearance that resembles a large football-shaped balloon.

Nest

Nests are constructed on branches or leaves, although some species may build much larger ones with a diameter of up to 14 inches (35 cm).

The nest is built using wood pulp that has been softened by chewing and saliva; it resembles paper. They begin as single units and increase in number as the colony develops during the summer months.

Lifecycle

Fertile queens initiate colonies in spring after their period of hibernation. They also produce eggs that hatch to give birth to workers who will forage for food and maintain the nest.

The nest is at its most crowded and dangerous by late summer when new queens and males are produced. The old colony disappears in the fall, and new queens become dormant to maintain the cycle the following year in spring.

One can find it hard to deal with this kind of hornet since they are aggressive and defensive. These insects are easily recognizable due to their black and white appearance and the large, papery nests which they construct and which can be dangerous if disturbed.

This means that controlling is a well-planned and carefully coordinated process in order to reduce the risks associated with the problem. Below is a guide to understanding and controlling these bald-faced hornets around your home.

Spray with an insecticide for wasps and hornets - it may be more effective to use one with a long-range nozzle. This makes it possible for you to eliminate the nest from a distance without the need for physical contact.

Refer to the instructions provided on the label and ensure that you spray it the evening or early morning when hornets are least likely to be active. Make sure you are properly protected since hornets can sting if they feel threatened. Reapply if necessary and dispose of any dead hornets and nest debris properly to prevent attracting other pests.

Perhaps the most common technique of controlling hornets is the use of bait traps. Set hornet-specific traps or make your own by adding sugar and protein to them, such as meat or fish.

Position these traps several feet away from your home and areas of high congregation to prevent hornets from taking up residence in your living spaces. To maintain efficiency, check the traps and dispose of the captured hornets carefully to avoid stinging more people and attracting other hornets.

This is a natural and non-poisonous powder that is composed of fossilized algae and can be used to eliminate hornets. Place it at the entrance of the nest as well as at the odd places where hornets frequent. This powder acts by killing the hornets through piercing their exoskeleton hence causing them to dehydrate to death.

It should be applied while the surfaces are dry because when the surface is wet, this product does not work as well as it should. To avoid harming your pets or even yourself, It is important to use food-grade diatomaceous earth.

Hiring a pest control professional assures efficiency in the destruction of hornet nests without putting lives at risk. It is advisable to let the professionals deal with large nests or those that are situated in hard-to-reach areas because they have the right tools and expertise to do so.

They will evaluate the situation, apply the right insecticides or removal measures, and guarantee that the nest has been disposed of appropriately. This method is particularly useful if you have a large number of insects or if you are not comfortable dealing with hornets on your own.

Hornets are more sluggish and less aggressive at night hence the recommended time to eliminate the nest. It is recommended to wear a full-body suit with gloves and a face shield on your head. Using a vacuum cleaner with a long tube, gently take the nest with it.

Make sure you work as fast as possible so as not to interfere with the hornets. After removing them, you should ensure that you dispose of the vacuum bag by sealing it. This method needs a lot of precautions to avoid getting stung and make sure all hornets are taken out.

A solution of ammonia is effective in deterring and eliminating hornets. Combine ammonia with water in a spray bottle and spray it in the region containing the nest and other likely hornet movement spaces.

The smell of ammonia repels the hornets and deters them out of their established territory. Ammonia should be applied carefully because it has a pungent smell that can negatively affect humans and animals. Also when handling it, avoid contact with skin and eyes and do not breathe fumes.

These hornets can easily be eradicated using soapy water, although this takes a certain level of precaution. Fill a spray bottle with water and liquid dish soap. When applied, the soap forms a thick foam that chokes the hornets by blocking the breathing orifices and thus suffocating them.

Again, pour the soapy water mixture directly on the nest in the evening or early morning when the hornets are not very aggressive. Just make sure not to get too close and cover your body well in insect-repellent material.

Meat or fish-based traps are efficient ways of attracting and trapping hornets. Trap hornets at a distance using meat or fish as bait to avoid the hornets invading living spaces.

The traps should be observed now and then to avoid them being filled with other insects or overflowing. Remove captured hornets and replenish bait accordingly. This method assists in minimizing the hornet population around your home and within the garden since it leads them to traps.

Ultrasonic repellents work by emitting a hi-pitch sound that is unbearable to hornets but audible to humans and pets. These devices should be placed in places where hornets are usually found or close to their nest to prevent them from coming closer.

The sound waves interfere with the hornets’ ability to communicate and orient themselves, making them flee the scene. These repellents are safe in that they are non-toxic and do not need much attention.

Make sure that the devices are being located in a proper manner as recommended by the manufacturers and also batteries or other power sources should be checked from time to time.

An effective way of repelling hornets is using peppermint oil. You only need to blend a few teaspoons of peppermint oil, water, and a little quantity of dish wash in a sprayer.

Essential peppermint oil is used to eliminate hornets since the smell discourages the hornets from leaving their nest behind. Apply the mix to the nest and any other areas where hornets exist. It can also be used to prevent hornets from coming close to a place or a particular individual.

Visible Nests

The nests are large, football-shaped, gray in color, and are constructed from a material that is derived from chewed wood fibers and hornet saliva. These nests are usually constructed on trees, edges of roofs, or any other raised structures and may be as big as a basketball.

When you see a nest of this size and description, you know you are dealing with the notorious bald-faced hornet.

Increased Hornet Activity

Late summer and early fall are the most active periods for the bald-faced hornets, especially in the process of the ending of their colony cycle. Another sign of hornet infestation is an increase in hornet activity especially near areas where the hornets may decide to make a nest such as trees or eaves.

They could be seen as more hornets are present or many hornets moving in and out of a particular area. This increase in activity signals their presence.

Aggressive Behavior

Bald faced hornets are quite aggressive especially when one intrudes on their territory or interferes with their nest. People and their pets that go near their nest may get attacked by hornets in groups as they try to defend their home.

Their sting is painful and can provoke an allergic reaction. This aggressive behavior is best seen as a way of protecting their territory and is most frequent during late summer and early autumn.

Hornet Sightings

The presence of bald-faced hornets is evident when you see signs of an infestation. These large insects, which measure from 75 to 1 inch long are black and white, with a mask-like face.

If you see it flying or going in and out of a nest, there is a colony nearby. Their size and color are quite distinctive, making them easily identifiable.

Noise

A large nest of bald-faced hornets can sometimes be heard emitting a low thumping sound from the hornets themselves. This sound is more audible in the day and is caused by the movements of hornets, especially when they are flying in and out of the nest.

Whenever one hears a persistent buzzing around a possible nesting site, one can be sure of a nest and infestation.

Some of the major damages caused by these insects are as follows.

Stings

The sting of the bald-faced hornets is very painful and may result in a stinging sensation, swelling, and redness. In some cases, these stings cause serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, which is a severe and dangerous condition that needs immediate intensive care.

These hornets possess venom that is composed of various toxins that can intensify such allergic reactions and thus individuals with a history of allergies to hornet stings should stay clear from these hornets and if stung, they should seek medical help immediately.

Nesting Damage

Bald-faced hornets build large nests made of material resembling paper which can pose a risk of structural damage if the nest is built in or on a structure. The nests of these ants are built from wooden fibers chewed by insects and saliva and are usually rigid and can be invasive.

As the nest continues to develop, it can compromise siding, soffits, and other materials of the structure, which may result in repair or structural damage if ignored or eliminated.

Garden Pest

These hornets are carnivorous insects that can prey on insects that are generally helpful in the garden, including pollinators and other pests. This way, hornets affect the balance of a garden and may result in reduced efficiency of pollination and population increase of other pests.

This can have implications on plant health and the productivity of the garden as a whole.

Disturbance

Due to the aggression and size of these hornets, they pose a real threat to people and their pets. Since they are extremely protective of their nests, any chance encounter can lead to multiple stings by the disturbed bees.

This behavior makes a person feel unsafe and uneasy and may cause stress or reluctance to engage in outdoor activities near the nests.

Tree Damage

In constructing their nests, these hornets remove bark from trees which may have an adverse effect on the tree. This bark removal hinders the transportation of nutrients and water in the tree and hence may slow down growth or even lead to the death of the tree if the damage is severe.

The stripping can also open up gaps through which pathogens can gain access to the tree, thus affecting its health and ability to resist diseases.

Fruit Damage

Bald-faced hornets mainly feed on overripe or rotting fruits since they contain sugary substances that the hornets enjoy. This feeding behavior is quite destructive to the fruit crops since it results in rotting and loss.

Their feeding can also invite other pests and pathogens to the fruit, making the problem worse and may also lead to low harvest yields and poor quality for gardeners and farmers.

Bald-Faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)

• Appearance: The bald-faced hornet can be distinguished from other species by its distinct white face, which is black in color. It has white or yellowish bands across its abdomen. The queen and workers are around 0. 75 to 0. 8 inches (1. 9 to 2 cm) in length while males are slightly smaller.
• Behavior: Their temper: This particular species is quite aggressive especially when the nest is threatened. They are insects that share a common society with an egg-laying female called a queen, while the other females in the colony are foragers, and the males are called drones, and they are responsible for mating with the queen.
• Nest: The nests are big, round, and made of wood shavings that are softened with saliva and made to have a papery feel to them. They are often found in trees, shrubs, or on the edges of roofs or building ledges.

Giant Bald-Faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata gigantea)

• Appearance: The giant bald-faced hornet is similar in appearance to the common bald-faced hornet but measures slightly larger; workers measure up to 1 inch  (2.5 cm) in length. Its white face and pronounced white abdominal markings make it easily identifiable.
• Behavior: Similar to the standard species in terms of aggression, the giant bald-faced hornet is relatively rare. It is also larger with more painful stings due to its size. They are also social insects that build nests in high locations.
• Nest: The nests of the giant bald-faced hornet are generally similar to the standard nests but may be larger and sturdier in construction. They are usually observed in trees or other raised platforms.

European Bald-Faced Hornet (Dolichovespula media)

• Appearance: The European bald-faced hornet has a white face and a black body with less clear stripes on the abdomen compared to the North American species. It is slightly smaller, with workers around 0. 5 to 0. 75 inches (1. 3 to 1. 9 cm) long.
• Behavior: This species is not as aggressive as the North American bald-faced hornets. While it is alone in searching for food, it is social in that it creates a colony with one queen and many workers.
• Nest: The nests are not as large as the North American species and are usually situated at lower altitudes including on the ground or on low shrubs. The nests are also papery and constructed from wood fibers and saliva.