What to Know About Hornets

They’re related to wasps and yellow jackets, but larger and more intimidating. These bold insects can even remember faces and will hold a grudge if you try to disrupt their hive. At the same time, they function as a necessary part of nature’s pest control brigade, helping to clear the garden of caterpillars, aphids, and other unwanted and damaging bugs. Hornets can also serve as inadvertent pollinators as they go about their business, so they aren’t all bad.

There’s a lot to know about hornets, and they can be polarizing critters. They do have their role to play in the environment, but they can also be quite a nuisance when they take up residence in and around our living spaces. Hornets can have nests numbering hundreds or even thousands of individuals strong, and they’re ready to defend their colony if need be.

If you suspect a hornet infestation, look for excessive activity around the home, visible paper nests under building eaves, and insects coming and going to one location. If you don’t see a paper nest but hornets are buzzing around your home, it is possible that the insects are living instead in your attic or crawlspace, or another open area that they’ve gained access to. In this and every case, never block or plug a hole where you see hornets coming and going. If you block their exit to the outside that will force them to come inside the house as they try to find an alternate exit route.

Hornets will typically make their homes high up. Depending on the species, you may see hornet nests under soffits, in peaks, under awnings, and attached to light fixtures. They will also nest in attics, under roofs and decking, in sheds and garages, and in trees. We recommend walking around your house once a month during the summer to do a visual inspection, looking for physical nests hanging on the outside of your home. If you have other structures and mature trees on your property, it’s important to check these as well. Look for lots of activity, with hornets flying in and out of one specific area.

Hornet nests have a clearly visible paper shell around them. They start off about the size of a golf ball in May, grow to softball size in June, volleyball size in July, and then finally basketball size or larger by September. You can see different species of hornets in Cleveland, but primarily will see the European hornet or the bald-faced hornet, which has distinctive white and black markings.

As the weather warms in summer and we’re spending more time outdoors, hornets are typically revved up too. Without preventative pest control, they will build nests and try to collect sustenance for their brood, as well as the emerging queens that are the future of their colony. When they’re busy working hard, they can get rambunctious and bolder than normal when it comes to visiting your backyard cookouts, scavenging for an easy meal, especially later in the season when natural food sources aren’t as plentiful. This can be a huge frustration, but for those who are allergic to hornet stings, this is especially worrisome.

Trust Hornet Exterminators In Cleveland, Ohio

When you notice hornets living on or around your home, your initial instinct could be to try and get rid of them yourself. But this can lead to a pretty painful outcome. At Cleveland Bee Removal, our trained and skilled technicians have the tools and equipment necessary to quickly and efficiently take care of your hornet infestation. If you’re looking for a hornet exterminator in Cleveland, Ohio, then look no further–we’re here to help! Let us handle these dangerous pests and leave the hard work to the pros. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.