Bald-Faced Hornets

Name: Bowling Green Pest Control
Address: Bowling Green, KY, US
Telephone: (270) 510-0473
Price range: $
Rating: 5.0

(Dolichovespula maculata)

Large, black-and-white hornets that build large, enclosed paper nests in trees and on buildings.

Overview

Bald-faced hornets are actually a type of yellow jacket, not a true hornet. They build large, enclosed, football- or basketball-shaped paper nests in trees, shrubs, and on buildings. These nests can house 400 to 700 workers and are aggressively defended — hornets will attack in large numbers if the nest is disturbed. In Bowling Green, nests are commonly found hanging from tree branches, under eaves, and on utility poles. They are most dangerous in late summer when colonies are at peak size.

Appearance

Bald-faced hornets are relatively large, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. They are predominantly black with distinctive white or ivory markings on the face, thorax, legs, and tip of the abdomen. Their bodies are robust and more heavily built than other yellow jackets. The white face markings are the easiest way to identify this species.

Habitat

Nests are large, enclosed structures made of chewed wood fiber — grayish in color and papery in texture. They are typically built at least 3 feet off the ground in trees, shrubs, under eaves, on utility poles, or under deck overhangs. Nests can grow to the size of a basketball or larger. The colony constructs a new nest each year; old nests are not reused.

Diet

Adult bald-faced hornets feed on nectar, fruit juices, and tree sap. Workers are also predatory, capturing other insects — especially flies, yellow jackets, and caterpillars — to chew into a paste and feed to developing larvae. This predatory behavior makes them somewhat beneficial for controlling other pest insect populations.

Lifecycle

Fertilized queens overwinter under bark, in leaf litter, or inside structures. In spring, the queen builds a small starter nest and raises the first workers. The colony expands through summer, with workers adding layers to the nest. By late summer, the nest may contain 400 to 700 workers. New queens and males are produced in fall; after mating, new queens overwinter while the rest of the colony perishes.

Signs of Infestation

!A large, gray, enclosed papery nest (football- to basketball-sized) in a tree or on a building
!Large black-and-white wasps flying to and from the same location
!Aggressive wasp activity if you approach within 10 feet of a nest
!Wasps hovering around fruit trees, trash cans, or outdoor lights

Prevention Tips

✓Inspect trees, eaves, and overhangs in spring for small starter nests (much easier to remove when small)
✓Keep trash receptacles tightly sealed
✓Avoid wearing sweet fragrances or bright clothing near known nesting areas
✓Have large nests professionally removed before they reach peak size

Professional Treatment

Professional removal is strongly recommended for bald-faced hornet nests. Technicians wearing protective equipment treat the nest at dusk with a fast-acting product, then remove the nest entirely once activity ceases. Nests in high locations or near building entry points should only be handled by professionals. Attempting DIY removal is extremely dangerous due to their aggressive colony defense behavior — they can sting through lightweight clothing.

Did You Know?

•Bald-faced hornets are technically not true hornets — they are a species of yellow jacket.
•They can squirt venom into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness.
•Workers can sting multiple times and will pursue threats for a considerable distance.
•A large nest can contain over 700 workers and thousands of individual cells.

Quick Facts

Size

1/2 to 3/4 inch

Color

Black with white or ivory face markings

Legs

Shape

Robust, football-shaped body

Also Known As

White-faced hornet, Bull wasp

Danger Level

High