Hornets
Dolichovespula maculata
General Info
- Bald-faced hornets are found throughout the southern regions of the Canadian provinces
- Bald-faced hornets are distinguishable by their white to cream colored marking on the front of their face and abdomen.
- Their active season is usually May through October
Size
12.7 to 19.05 millimetres long
Colour
Black and Pale White
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Hornet nests are grey, pear-shaped, and usually hang downward from tree branches
- In the spring, queen hornets search areas around the yard to build a new nest – once the nest is established they raise their young in a paper-like nest
- In fall, all of the hornets in the nest die except for the newly emerged queens who search for a secluded spot to hide for winter - the following spring the cycle begins again (though the old nests are not re-used)
- Hornets don’t go out of their way to bother humans, but when disturbed they will sting as an attempt to defend their nest
- Some people can have severe allergic reactions to hornet stings – these people should get immediate medical attention if stung
- Spray hornet nests only at dusk or after dark when nearly all members of the colony are in the nest and are less likely to leave the nest to sting you
- Restrict hornet access to the home by closing doors and windows
- Inspect screens for holes and loose edges that may allow hornets to enter
- Make sure that all garbage containers are sealed to prevent hornet entry
- Store food in sealed containers when camping
- Inspect eaves, overhangs, and roofs for new nests and spray them as soon as they are found
Related products
Raid® Wasp & Hornet Bug Killer allows you to attack from a distance, killing the entire nest. It kills wasps and hornets on contact and is electrically non-conducting up to 41,000 volts. This product can be used to kill wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket nests, in trees or attached to buildings and sprays up to 5.7 m.