Hornets are social wasps known for their large nests. They construct their communal homes from a papery material, created by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva. This material hardens to form the nest’s structure. Hornet nests typically feature multiple layers of hexagonal combs encased within a thick, multi-layered outer shell, providing a protected environment for the colony.
Hornet Nest Reuse
Hornets do not reuse the same nest in successive years. Each hornet colony has an annual life cycle, meaning the entire colony and its nest are active for only one season. A new nest is constructed each year by a new queen. Even if an old nest remains intact through the winter, it will not be reoccupied, as hornets build entirely new structures for their new generations.
The Annual Hornet Life Cycle
As colder temperatures arrive in late fall or early winter, worker hornets, males, and the old queen all perish. Only newly fertilized queens survive the winter. These queens leave their natal nest and find sheltered locations, such as under tree bark, in leaf litter or crevices, where they hibernate.
With the arrival of spring, usually around April or May, these overwintering queens emerge from their dormant state. Each queen then seeks out a suitable location to establish a new colony. She begins by constructing a small, initial nest, sometimes referred to as a primer nest, which is typically spherical and about the size of a golf ball. Within this structure, the queen lays her first batch of eggs.
These eggs hatch into larvae, which the queen feeds and cares for until they develop into adult hornets. The first offspring are sterile female workers. Once these workers mature, they assume responsibilities for expanding the nest, foraging for food, and tending to subsequent generations of larvae. This allows the queen to focus primarily on laying more eggs, driving rapid colony growth throughout the summer. By late summer or early fall, the colony reaches its peak size, often containing hundreds to several thousand hornets. At this stage, the queen produces a final generation of eggs that develop into new queens and males. These reproductive individuals then leave the nest to mate, as newly fertilized queens seek out their own hibernation sites.
What Happens to Old Hornet Nests
Once a hornet colony completes its annual life cycle, the abandoned nest is left behind. These nests, composed of a paper-like material, are not designed for long-term durability. Over winter, the exposed papery structure deteriorates due to natural elements such as wind, rain, and freezing temperatures.
While the general shape of the nest may persist for some time, it loses its structural integrity and protective qualities. These abandoned nests pose no threat once the colony is gone and can be left to decompose or be removed.