Bald-faced hornets, despite their common name, are not true hornets but a species of yellowjacket found throughout North America, particularly in the southeastern United States. These insects often cause concern due to their aggressive nature and tendency to build nests near human activity. Understanding their characteristics and behaviors helps minimize risks.
Identifying Bald-Faced Hornets
Bald-faced hornets are distinctive for their black bodies with prominent white or ivory markings, especially on their face and at the tip of their abdomen. These wasps are relatively large, with workers typically measuring 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long, and queens reaching up to 3/4 of an inch.
Bald-faced hornets construct large, enclosed, paper-like nests that are typically gray and often football or basketball-shaped. These aerial nests are commonly found suspended from tree branches, in shrubs, on utility poles, or under the eaves and roofs of buildings. A queen initiates the nest in the spring, and as the colony grows throughout the summer, the nest can expand significantly, housing hundreds of workers by late summer or early fall. While foraging away from the nest, individual bald-faced hornets are generally not aggressive. However, they become highly defensive and will attack if their nest is disturbed or they perceive a threat to their colony.
The Threat of Their Sting
A bald-faced hornet’s sting is notably painful, and these insects possess smooth stingers, allowing them to sting repeatedly without harming themselves. When a bald-faced hornet stings, it injects venom that can cause immediate pain, swelling, and redness at the sting site. Local reactions, including itching and discomfort, typically last for a few hours to a couple of days. The venom can also be sprayed into an intruder’s face, potentially causing temporary blindness if it reaches the eyes.
A primary concern with bald-faced hornet stings is the potential for severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in susceptible individuals. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can include:
Hives across the body
Swelling of the face or throat
Difficulty breathing
Chest tightness
Wheezing
Rapid pulse
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of consciousness
If any of these severe symptoms occur after a sting, emergency medical care is necessary. Individuals with known insect sting allergies should carry an epinephrine auto-injector and use it promptly if stung.
Preventing Stings and Encounters
Preventing stings involves understanding their behavior and taking proactive measures. Avoiding sudden movements or swatting at individual hornets is important, as this can provoke them into stinging. If a hornet is nearby, calmly and slowly moving away is a safer approach.
Wearing protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants, in areas where hornets might be active can offer a physical barrier. Strong perfumes, colognes, and other scented products can attract stinging insects, so it is advisable to avoid using them when spending time outdoors.
Keeping outdoor trash cans securely lidded and ensuring food and drinks are covered, especially when eating outside, can deter hornets from scavenging. Sealing cracks and openings in the exterior of a home can also prevent hornets from entering or nesting within structures.
Dealing with Nests
Bald-faced hornet nests are a significant source of danger due to the colony’s aggressive defense of their home. Even unknowingly approaching within a few feet of a nest can trigger a defensive attack.
Attempting to remove a bald-faced hornet nest personally carries a high risk of multiple stings and should be strongly avoided. Home sprays typically have limited reach, and even if a nest is dislodged, the hornets may remain aggressive and pursue the perceived threat. The safest and most effective approach for nest removal is to contact professional pest control services. These experts have the necessary protective equipment and knowledge to safely eliminate the nest, often doing so at night when the hornets are less active.