HORNETS AND YELLOWJACKETS

Hornets and YellowJackets often nest in voids such as the soffit under roofs, attics and hollow areas in landscaping. They will even build a nest in barbeque grills if the grill is not used often.

These pests are seen more in the fall because temperatures start to cool, their food becomes scarce, the nest population is at it's peak and new wasps seek out warmth and light. This is when they invade our homes and work places.

Fortunately they can be eliminated if a nest is located. If you have a wasp or hornet nest, contact us to set up an appointment. Be sure and mention if a ladder will be needed to complete the job.

(Photos are of European Hornet's nest and were taken in a void area above a drop ceiling.
The nest was at least 2' wide and 3' deep.
Photos courtesy of S. Harris, Absolute Pest Control)

Hornet/YellowJacket Habitat

Hornets and yellowjackets eat ripe fruit and other sweet materials. They can be found scavenging around trash cans, soda cans or other food that is outside. They also collect wood to make the paper for their nests. The larvae are fed insects or prepared meat.

Hornet generally refers to large wasps. They are up to 1.4 inches long, brown with orange stripes.

Nests are made of paper and can get very large, some the size of a basketball or bigger.

These social wasps die out in the winter and only the queen survives to establish a colony the following spring. She will seek out an enclosed place to overwinter.

Hornet

Close look at a Hornet

It is not unusual to see hornets or yellowjackets flying close to the sunny side of a building. If the nest can be located, they can be eliminated. They may, however, be coming from another property. It is possible to see a lot of these pests and not be able to locate their nest.