Bald-Faced Hornets…Kissing Cousin to the Yellowjacket
The bald-faced hornet is a relative of the yellowjacket and gets its common name from its mostly black color and mostly white face. This stinging insect is named a hornet because of its large size and aerial nest.
Tale of the Tape
- Color: Black with a white pattern on most of the face
- Legs: 6
- Shape: Long, wasp-like
- Size: 1/2 – 5/8”; Queen 3/4” (18-20mm)
- Antennae: Yes
- Region: Throughout the U.S.
Appearance
Bald-faced hornets greatly resemble their yellowjacket relatives, with black bodies and a predominantly white-patterned face. They also have two slanted lines running from their midsection towards their head and on the latter part of their abdomen. Like yellowjackets and paper wasps, the surface of their upper midsection almost looks triangular from the side.
Queen bald-faced hornets are larger in size than their adult-worker counterparts. Their aerial nests are grey and paper-like, but they are enclosed unlike the open cone structure of other stinging hornets and insects, like yellowjackets and paper wasps. Their paper nests are at least three or more feet off the ground, usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length.
Sting
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone or anything that invades their space, unlike other stinging insects that may only rarely sting when they feel extremely threatened. This makes bald-faced hornet removal, which should be solely left to your local PMP like Millette Pest Control for safety, somewhat difficult. These hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting repeatedly whereas other stinging insects, like honeybees, are only able to attack once before their stinger falls off. Bald-faced hornet stings carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch and swell for about 24 hours. Humans are at the same risk of allergic reactions from bald-faced hornet stings as with other insect stings.
Habits
Bald-faced hornets are social insects, although not true hornets, and are most visibly active during the day. They live in colonies that may contain between 100 and 400 members at their peak. Bald-faced hornets build paper carton nests in the area of the queen’s choosing, typically at least three or more feet off the ground, and usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length.
Bald-faced hornets usually appear in late summer when populations are largest. Specifically, males emerge from unfertilized eggs and impregnate the new females for the next season in the end of the summer. The inseminated insects are the only ones that overwinter when the weather cools, while the remaining members of the nest die off, and the process repeats the next spring and summer. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season—the new members will rebuild them each time from new materials.
Infestation
A bald-faced hornet infestation is clearly visible with the presence of a nest, which would be suspended above the ground. There will also be worker bald-faced hornets flying around the nest and nearby area if there is an infestation.
Avoiding contact with these insects is key to preventing getting stung. Homeowners should seal up any tiny openings like cracks where bald-faced hornets would be able to enter when seeking shelter. Keeping food covered, especially when outdoors, will also help keep these insects at bay. When spending time outside, people should avoid wearing strong fragrances and opt for unscented hygienic products. Likewise, they should wear shoes that cover and protect their feet from rogue hornets.
Removal of Bald-Faced Hornets
If you find a bald-faced hornet’s nest on your home or property, do not attempt to remove it on your own as this can aggravate the colony and cause the hornets to sting. Contact Millette about proper hornet removal to avoid the risk of bald-faced hornet stings.