Warning Signs That Your Woodlands Home Has Termites
September 28, 2023
What early warning signs of termites do you need to know? Find out today how to identify these pests before they take over your Woodlands property.
Read More
Although hornets are a wasp type, they differ because they are much larger and less aggressive. Hornets can vary in appearance and behavior from species to species, but hornets will generally be yellow and black, yellow and brown, or white and black. They are long and hairless with a narrow waist and a smooth stinger. Because of their smooth stinger, they can sting multiple times.
Even though hornets are less aggressive than wasps, this does not make them less dangerous. Like other stinging insects, hornets will attack if their nest is threatened. Their stings are extremely painful, causing swelling and pain that can last several hours. Hornet venom can also cause other health concerns, including anaphylactic shock.
If you live in Fort Worth, Texas, you don't need us to tell you that hornets should be avoided. But what we can tell you is how to remove a nest safely and effectively.
Hornet Behavior
Hornets are social insects, which means they nest in colonies containing hundreds of individual members. It also means that they won't hesitate to attack if a threat is perceived.
Hornet nests consist of the following:
- A location off the ground
- In a sheltered area away from people and natural predators
- Common places such as under roof eaves, utility poles, trees, and shrubbery
- Made out of a paper-like material, they make by chewing wood fibers
The queen is the only member of the colony that survives through the winter. Because of this, a new nest is built each year after the queen raises new workers, which are sterile females. The males that are born die soon after they leave the nest and mate with a new queen. Hornets have four life cycle stages egg, larva, pupa, and adult. At the height of the colony, there will be between 100 to 400 individuals.
Hornet Removal
It is not out of the ordinary for people to try and get rid of hornets' nests on their own. But doing so can result in being attacked. However, this doesn't stop people from treating hornet nests in the following ways:
- Waiting until night to try and remove
- Spraying with household cleaners and chemicals
- Soaking with water
- Setting fire
- Hitting or knocking it down
- Sealing the entrance
Although all of these techniques might damage the nest and kill a few of the hornets, it will likely result in an attack from surviving members. Even if the nest is small or believed to be inactive, it is not worth the danger these pests can pose to you, your family, or pets.
Why put yourself and others at risk when you can let professionals take care of a hornet's nest? When people trained in removing stinging insects are called in, no one gets hurt, and practices are implemented to keep these pests away.
Professional Hornet Control
For safe and effective hornet nest removal, you should turn to professionals for assistance. If you live in the Fort Worth area, contact the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our stinging insect control treatments offer protection against hornets and other stinging insects. As stinging insects are covered under our general pest control plan, you will have year-round protection from this pest.
Our team of trained technicians will also share tips to help keep hornets away in the future. Don't try and remove a nest on your own, even if you believe it is inactive. Instead, let All-Safe Pest & Termite handle it, keeping you and your family safe from these dangerous pests.
