Hornets are large and black with a white mark on their face. They build ball-shaped nests in trees, shrubs and on the sides of homes. The hornets nest in this picture was taken in September at a home in Southbury, CT.
Hornets are social insects much like other “bees,” but while all wasps and hornets are aggressive, I’ve found that white-faced hornets are particularly aggressive, especially when you get too close to their nest.
Getting rid of wasps and hornets at your home can be a dangerous proposition if you don’t know the proper way to do it. Every year thousands of people are stung by these pests, and many of these people have allergies that they’re unaware. Some allergies to stinging insects can be so severe that they result in death. Always observe caution when approaching a wasp or hornet nest. Better yet, stay away.
If you insist on exterminating the nest on your own, here’s how:
1. Make sure you are well-protected with thick gloves, a beekeepers hat, long thick pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
2. Spray the nest at night when they’re less active.
3. Don’t spray too much bee spray. You’re trying to kill wasps, not yourself. A little pesticide goes a long way.
4. Remember that some “sprays” can have oils in the ingredients. Oils will permanently stain your siding. Test a small section before you spray.
If you have a nest that appears too big to handle, call Envirocare Pest Control, LLC. Our pest control technicians wear protective gear so that they’re able to approach nests during the day. We’ll exterminate the nest and remove it.
Some nests are too high up even for us to deal with. In Thomaston, CT, this year we were hired to remove a nest that was endangering a soccer field. We had to rent special equipment to gain access to this nest. In the end we won the battle, but it wasn’t easy.
In most all other cases, being smart around wasp nests is all you’ll need. Contact us