Despite the name, bald-faced hornets are not hornets; instead, they are part of the wasp family, and like its cousin, the yellow-jacket, bald-faced hornets have an aggressive nature. Bald-faced hornets are renowned for their painful sting, and, like most wasps, they can sting repeatedly, especially when they feel threatened. Bald-faced hornets can be found in residential areas, and it’s common to encounter them on your property. Bald-faced hornets are often called white-faced hornets, black jackets, bull wasps, white-tailed hornets, and bald-faced yellow jackets. If you find wasps or hornets on your property, leave them alone and contact the experts at Effective Pest Services for identification and professional removal services.
Bald-Faced Hornet Identification
Bald-faced hornets get their name partly from the black-and-white coloring on the front of the head. Their bodies are typically black, with white patches along the thorax and white stripes on their abdomens. They can be found throughout the U.S. and can range in size from ½ to 5/8 of an inch in length. Like other species of wasps, the upper midsection looks triangular from the side. Unlike bees with a jagged stinger that can only sting once, the bald-faced hornet stinger is smooth to sting repeatedly. Bald-faced hornets live in enclosed paper-like nests that are grey and at least 3 feet off the ground with a single opening at the bottom for entry and exit. Bald-faced hornets build nests in trees and the eaves and overhangs of outbuildings and utility poles. Each nest can house between 100-400 occupants.
Do Bald-faced Hornets Chase You?
Bald-faced hornets will aggressively defend their nests when they feel threatened. This practice can be problematic if their nest is close to areas humans occupy, for example, building overhangs and doorways. The sting is painful and can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. The sting can sometimes become infected, but most people experience pain, redness, and swelling lasting 24 hours. To treat a bald-faced hornet sting, wash the area with soap and warm water, and apply a cold pack for alternating periods of 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for approximately 30 minutes to help alleviate the swelling. Call 911 immediately if you experience tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, hives, sweating, or chills.
What Can I Do to Keep Bald-Faced Hornets Away?
Keeping wasps away from your home can be challenging, especially if you live on a lot with abundant trees and overhangs. There are a few things you can do to make your property less appealing, including keeping food covered when cooking out, sealing cracks and crevices to keep bald-faced hornets from nesting, making sure outside trash cans have well-fitting lids, and avoiding wearing perfume or strong-smelling body products when outside. Bald-faced hornets are attracted to fruit juice, nectar, and other insects; reducing the number of flowering plants around your property can also help deter them from taking up residence. If you suspect you have a bald-faced hornet nest on your property, call the experts at Effective Pest Services for immediate assistance.
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