Hornets are large, predatory insects that belong to the wasp family, and they are generally more robust than their smaller relatives. Unlike honeybees, which can only sting once, hornets are capable of multiple stings, posing a significant risk to people and pets. The safest approach to managing these insects is through proactive, non-lethal strategies. Effective hornet prevention focuses on eliminating the resources they seek and the sheltered locations they use for nesting.
Removing Attractants from Your Property
Hornets are primarily drawn to properties by readily available sources of sugar, protein, and water, which they need to feed their larvae and sustain the colony. Proper management of waste is a highly effective first step, requiring that all outdoor garbage cans have tight-fitting, sealed lids to block access to food scraps. Any spills from sugary drinks, soda cans, or juice boxes should be cleaned up immediately, as the residual sweetness can act as a powerful beacon for foraging hornets.
Fermenting fruit is a major attractant because of the high sugar content. Removing all fallen fruit promptly and covering compost piles securely can significantly reduce the number of hornets visiting your yard. If you maintain a pet feeding station outdoors, bowls should be brought inside immediately after mealtimes to eliminate a protein source that hornets will exploit.
Water sources are also necessary for hornets, primarily for drinking and for mixing with wood fibers to construct their paper nests. Leaky outdoor faucets, standing water in gutters, or constantly overflowing bird baths can provide easy access to moisture. Fixing these plumbing issues and ensuring that areas prone to collecting rainwater are drained will minimize the availability of this resource.
Structural and Landscape Prevention Tactics
Preventing hornets from establishing a nest requires making the physical structure of your home and landscape less accessible. Hornets prefer sheltered, dark cavities for nesting, often seeking out small openings in the exterior of a building. Inspect the foundation, siding, and roofline for cracks, gaps, or holes larger than a pencil eraser and seal them with caulk or expanding foam.
Damaged window or door screens should be repaired or replaced to prevent hornets from entering the home, where they may attempt to build a nest in an attic or wall void. Ensuring that all utility entry points, such as where cables or pipes enter the house, are adequately sealed prevents internal access. Chimney caps and vents should be checked to confirm they are securely screened.
The surrounding landscape also plays a role in offering suitable nesting locations near a structure. Hornets frequently build nests in dense, protective foliage. Trimming back these plants, especially those directly touching the structure, removes potential cover and increases light exposure, which makes the area less desirable for nest building.
A non-lethal, passive tactic involves the strategic placement of decoy nests, which capitalize on the territorial nature of hornets. Hornets are less likely to establish a new nest near what they perceive to be an existing, active colony. Hanging commercially available or homemade paper bag decoys in sheltered areas early in the season can sometimes deter a queen from starting construction in that location.
Recognizing When Professional Removal is Necessary
While deterrence efforts focus on prevention, once a nest is established, safety becomes the primary concern, and DIY removal attempts are discouraged. The location of the nest is a primary indicator of risk; nests found inside wall voids, under eaves near high-traffic entryways, or high up in trees are difficult and dangerous to access safely.
Any nest that has grown larger than a basketball or is visible in late summer is likely mature and contains hundreds or thousands of defensive workers. These large nests are difficult and dangerous to access safely.
Certain species can be particularly aggressive when disturbed. Attempting to remove or destroy a large, active nest without specialized protective gear and training carries a high risk of multiple stings. Disturbing the nest often results in a mass defensive response, as the hornets release alarm pheromones to signal an attack.
If a large, active nest is discovered, professional pest control services should be contacted immediately. Specialists possess the equipment and knowledge to safely neutralize and remove the colony, often using specialized dusts or treatments that minimize the risk of a swarm response. Sealing an entry hole before the nest is treated is particularly hazardous, as it can force the hornets to chew their way through drywall or other materials and enter the living space.