What Attracts Hornets to Your Property? How to Keep Stinging Pests Away in Burlington, NJ

Most people have come across a hornet at some point in their life and for the locals of New Jersey; we don’t mean the skilled athletes of the Hornets NBA team. Hornet stinging insects are a general nuisance than can inflict multiple stings that are painful. With the venom they deliver, the itchy painful stings can last well over 24 hours. Like bee stings, people can often be allergic to the venom, manifesting in mild to severe symptoms as well. Throughout New Jersey, there are two common hornets wreaking havoc on anyone who they deem a threat to their nests; European and Bald Faced Hornets. Ross Environmental Solutions, Inc would like to discuss the basics of these two hornet species.

European Hornet Identification

In the 1800s, European hornets were first introduced to New York from Europe and have since spread out. Because of their large stature, European hornets are also known as Giant Hornets. Being much larger than yellow jackets as well as being active into the night unlike other stinging pests, they are fairly intimidating. These hornets have long and robust wasp-like shaped bodies that measure ¾” to 1 ½” in length. They feature yellow abdominal stripes and pale faces on their otherwise brown bodies and like most insects, have six legs and antennae. European hornets are social insects; often living colonies with 100-400 members. Generally more active in late summer, the diets of European hornets consist of flies, grasshoppers, honeybees, and yellow jackets as well as tree sap, fruit, and honeydew. These hornets are attracted to light and will be frequently noticed by homeowners repeatedly banging into lit windows.

European Hornet Nests Removal

European hornets will likely build their nest in hollow walls and trees, along exterior buildings, attics and even in abandoned beehives. Any nest that is exposed however is protected with a brown envelope of cellulose materials derived of dead wood. Not only can European hornets pose a health risk to people and other animals, but they are menace to trees and shrubs as they will strip back the bark in order to get to the sap.

Bald Faced Hornet Facts

Bald faced hornets are so named because the majority of their face is white against their primarily black colored bodies. Being closely related to yellow jackets, these hornets have long wasp-like bodies that measure in at ½” – ¾” in length. Like European hornets, bald faced hornets are social, living in colonies that have between 100-400 members in them.

Removal of Bald Faced Hornet Nests

When their population is at their full potential, during the hot summer months bald faced hornet are spotted constructing their paper-like nests that are generally over 24 inches long and 14 inches in diameter. Additionally they are at least 3 feet off the ground. Typically, bald faced hornets will use shrubs, trees, sheds, outdoor structures and utility poles to build their nests on. Bald faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season unlike many of the other stinging pests. Hornets can be a challenge to remove out of your home or business because of their aggressive behavior in defense of their nest.

Hornet Removal

If you spy a hornet’s nest on your property, don’t risk your loved ones getting stung. Contact Ross Environmental Solutions, Inc for prompt removal.