Found a Bald-faced Hornet Nest? Your Next Steps

Don't let bald-faced hornets turn your yard into a danger zone! These fierce insects can be a real headache for homeowners, as they're known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings. 

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If you've stumbled upon a bald-faced hornet nest on your property, call the experts at Zunex to remove it safely. 

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But let's look closer at these pests and why leaving their removal to the pros is essential.

Bald-faced Hornets: True Hornets or Just Wasps?

Bald-faced hornets are the neighborhood bullies of the insect world. These social wasps are larger than most, with a hard-to-miss black-and-white coloration. They can measure up to 20mm in length and build nests that reach up to 60cm in diameter. 

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Like yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets are infamous for their aggressive behavior and their ability to sting multiple times. These stings aren’t a walk in the park, either. If you accidentally catch one of these pests on a bad day, you may deal with localized pain, swelling, redness, and itching.

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While they seem like a typical aggressive hornet, these pests aren’t what they may appear to be. 

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Despite their name, bald-faced hornets aren’t actual hornets. Instead, these pests are more akin to yellow jackets.

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In the United States, there’s only one prominent hornet species: the European hornet. While not widespread along the west coast, these pests have established themselves along the country's eastern portion. 

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Thankfully, Washington doesn’t have a steady population of these large, aggressive pests, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see any hornets around the state! 

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Since early 2019, the northern giant hornet has migrated from many Asian countries to the US. This sturdy pest is about two inches long and easily overshadows other wasps in the region. 

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Because they’re not native to North America, the northern giant hornet has caused its fair share of issues since migrating over. While their populations aren’t large, and no sightings were reported in 2022, these pests can significantly devastate local bee populations. 

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If you spot one of these giant insects, don’t try to deal with them alone. Instead, contact the Washington Department of Agriculture to report the sighting and allow professionals to capture and dispose of this invasive species safely. 

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Bald-faced hornets can’t cause the same damage or displacement to native species as the other wasps. However, don’t underestimate these buzzing threats! They can infest many household or outdoor structures, making your home and yard inhospitable.

Identifying and Locating a Bald-faced Hornet Nest

Bald-faced hornets create intricate and impressive nests entirely out of paper-like material by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with their saliva. They build their nests in various locations, including trees, bushes, and even buildings, and they can grow to be quite massive, with a diameter of up to 60cm.

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Their nests are like bustling cities with multiple layers of cells. The outer layer contains cells for breeding workers and drones, while the inner layer has cells for eggs, the queen, and newly hatched larvae. The hornets also use the space between the layers for storing food and waste.

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These hornets usually build their nests in multiple locations, including trees, bushes, and even buildings. They often prefer sites away from the elements and predators, like under eaves or hollow trees. 

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You may even see them on the sides of buildings or utility poles. The nest's location can affect its size and shape, as the hornets will adapt to the space available to construct their home.

Should I Remove A Nest on my Own?

Removing a bald-faced hornet nest requires specialized equipment and training and should never be attempted alone. Climbing a ladder or using a long pole to reach the nest can be dangerous, especially if you're not experienced or trained in working at heights. 

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Plus, you also need protective clothing, sprays, and traps to keep yourself safe and remove the threat on your property. Without the proper equipment, you're putting yourself at risk of being stung and injured.

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Seeing a bald-faced hornet nest in your home or yard can be alarming, but handling the situation carefully and cautiously is essential. Here are the steps you should take:

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• Assess the Situation: The first step is to assess the location and size of the nest. Leave it alone if it's far from human activity and isn't causing any problems. However, if the nest is near an area of frequent activity, such as a doorway or patio, it's vital to take action.
• Protect Yourself: Protecting yourself from potential stings is crucial. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and a hat. Consider insect repellent and avoid strong fragrances that could attract hornets.
• Contact a Professional: Removing a bald-faced hornet nest can be dangerous and requires special equipment and expertise. We recommend you contact a professional pest control company like Zunex to remove the nest. We have the proper training and equipment to remove the nest safely.
• Wait for Professionals: After contacting us, avoid approaching the nest or disturbing the hornets. Keep pets and children away from the area to prevent accidental stings.
• Monitor the Situation: Keep an eye on the nest and monitor its activity. Keep us in the loop if you notice any changes or if the hornets become more aggressive. 

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If you've spotted a bald-faced hornet nest in your home or yard, don't put yourself at risk by trying to remove it on your own. 

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Call Zunex today, and let us handle it safely and effectively. With our specialized equipment and training, we can safely remove the nest and prevent future infestations. Don't let these aggressive pests take over your space - contact us now and let us solve the problem for you!

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