Bald Faced Hornet Nest Removal Techniques

Bald faced hornets belong to the family of wasps and though not aggressive can be threatening when they nest near high human activity areas. It is recommended to remove their nest in that case as they feel threatened when there is constant disturbance near their nest and can sting anyone whom they regard as a threat.

Bald faced hornet sting resembles that of a hypodermic needle that is connected to a sack containing strong toxin venom. They are capable of inflicting sharp and painful stings repeatedly. Since they tend to attack when their nest is threatened, it makes it necessary to ensure that a proper procedure is followed for bald faced hornet nest removal. Calling in the experts can be the ideal solution here.

Facts About Bald Faced Hornets

• Bald faced hornets help in pollination when they visit flowers for nectar similar to the bees
• They are beneficial insects as they kill potentially harmful insects for food
• They do not harm unless their nests and safety are threatened 

Best Time for Bald Faced Hornet Nest Removal

It is best to destroy a bald faced hornet’s nest during the early days of spring when the nest is still under construction and the bald faced hornet queen is the only threat. If you happen to spot a nest in the middle of summer then it is best to wait it out till the onset of autumn. There will be close to 400 worker hornets in the nest during the summer months and nest removal can cost you a few hundred stings. If you feel threatened by their presence, then it is recommended that you call a pest control professional to do the job as an active colony can be hazardous.

Nest Treated and Removed – Video

Points to Ponder

• Bald Faced Hornets are colonial by nature and have a hierarchy
• The female workers guard and maintain the nest
• They have smooth stings that can help to sting repeatedly 

Removing Nests Outside the Home

Protective Clothing Picture

You can locate the nest anytime during the day but nest removal needs to be exercised only during the night. The bald faced hornet activity is restricted during the night hours which make it easy for removal.  Lights used for illumination must not be held by an individual but instead a light source must be used and focused on the nest, clearly away from the person treating it. Subdued illumination is recommended and you can make use of red cellophane paper on the flash light used for illumination. Bald faced hornets cannot see red and hence you can catch them by surprise.

Thick and protective clothing must be worn to safeguard from the angry stings of these creatures. Eyewear, hat, boots, gloves, etc., are some of the protective gear that can be used as shields. Aerosol sprays are the best bet against bald faced hornets as it helps to knock them down early. Foaming agents can also be used as it expands the insecticide inside the nest not giving any room for the hornets to escape. It is recommended to apply a sufficient amount of insecticide in the entrance of the nest to ensure that none of the hornets escape.

Fact File

• Bald faced hornets do not sting when they are away from their nest
• Wearing bright colored clothing can attract bald faced hornets
• Strong floral perfumes can lure these hornets to you mistaking you for a flower

 

Nest Removal Video

Bald Faced Hornet Nest Removal Inside The Home

If you find a bald faced hornet queen flying in the house, it signifies that she is trying to build a nest inside your home. This calls for professional hands and has to be done with top most priority. Wearing fully covered clothing with gloves can be handy. If you notice that the queen is all by herself, then you can make use of hornet traps that can trap her and then you can let her out into the wild. Vacuum removal is a recommended method as it is not advisable to use pesticides and insecticides inside the home. This is very effective but needs the hands of an expert.

Post Removal of Nests

Bald head hornet nest removal procedure needs to be done for three days in succession before bringing the nest down. This makes sure that all the residing hornets are killed. Flooding or burning down the nest won’t help. It has to be taken down, put in a separate garbage bag and disposed carefully. Nests that are taken down using insecticides must never be kept as a display piece. It is also not recommended to leave an uninhabited bald head hornet’s nest as it can become safe havens for spiders and other harmful insects.

Interesting Facts

• Bald faced hornet nests can grow up to 2 feet long and house several hundred hornets
• They do not use an old nest and new queens prefer to build their own homes
• The drones are used only for mating with chosen young fertile queens. 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Bald Head Hornet Nest Removal

Do’s

• Wear white shades or tan colored clothing when you attempt a nest removal
• Do wear protective clothing preferably in leather or thick material to avert stings
• Cover the eyes, hands and legs properly before attempting nest removal
• Stand from a safe distance while using insecticide sprays
• Use sprays in the wee morning hours when the air is thick
• Mint oil can help as a useful repellent while dealing with nest removal
• Wear tight fully covered clothing not giving room for them to get accidentally trapped inside

Don’ts

• Do not use kerosene or burn down a nest
• Do not use fancy commercial insect killers as they can attract bald faced hornets rather than repelling them
• Never trust distance sprayers – they may not do the job. You need to get close but at  safe distance
• Don’t stay in the way of hornets attempting to flee, you can get stung heavily
• Never allow children during nest removal – it can be hazardous to them
• Never physically knock down an active nest
• Don’t hang commercial traps in places where human activity is high – this becomes a sting attraction