Hornet Control and Extermination Services

Viking Pest Control is the leading expert in hornet control and general pest management serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

Any home or business owner in our service area is aware of the risks these stinging insects pose, but to truly understand why a hornet control solution is imperative for those in our service area, Viking provides plenty of information on behaviors, identifying factors, and prevention techniques that our clientele should always keep in mind.

What Are Hornets?
How to Prevent Hornets
- How to treat a hornet sting
How to Get Rid of Hornets
- When to call a hornet exterminator

What Are Hornets?

Hornets are a relatively large type of flying insect in the genus Vespa, closely related to bees. Hornets are a type of wasp and are often mistaken for yellow jackets. Like other wasps, hornets are eusocial – meaning they divide labor into reproductive and non-reproductive groups, care for the offspring of others, and have overlapping generations of adults within a colony.

Hornets live in nests constructed using the pulp of softwood that they have chewed up. A single queen hornet is at the top of the hive hierarchy, and all other hornets prioritize her safety over all else. She is the only hornet that can lay eggs, so the hive won’t survive without her. Most workers are asexual female hornets, while the only purpose of short-lived male hornets is to reproduce with the queen. Queens begin their nests in the spring after hibernating through the winter. To protect your home or business from hornets, learn about their behavior, take preventive steps, and seek effective treatment options should an infestation occur.

How Do I Identify a Hornet?

Hornets are often mistaken for bees or other wasps. Hornets can grow to a length of more than 5.6 cm (2.2 in), though their average size is 3.2 cm (1.25 in). Hornets are usually striped yellow-orange and black, like many of their bee and wasp cousins, though many hornets can have more red or brown coloring. Hornets are rounder and plumper than most bees and other wasps, with a pronounced abdomen behind the waist and a large head that sets them apart. Hornets build their nests from chewed wood pulp, giving them a paper-like appearance.

Hornets can be less aggressive than most other genera of wasps. If you’ve been stung by a hornet, however, you will also notice a few distinctive characteristics. Unlike bees, hornets and other wasps can sting you multiple times without stopping. Hornets do not dislodge their stinger after an attack. Hornet venom is more poisonous than other wasps’ venom, so their sting feels more painful.

Types of Hornets in NJ, PA, MD, and DE

Hornets are often mistaken for bees, yellowjackets, and other stinging insects, but they have distinguishing characteristics that help identify them. There are two main species found in NJ, PA, MD, & DE:

European Hornet

European hornets are among the largest stinging insects in the Mid-Atlantic. They have long, reddish-brown or yellow-striped bodies with a paler-colored face. European hornets grow to about 1.5 inches long and have two pairs of wings and six legs. They are highly aggressive and attack if they feel threatened. This species prefers to build its nests in crevices and avoids unprotected areas.

Bald-Faced Hornet

These hornets have long and thin bodies that are black with a white pattern on the face, thorax, and abdomen. They grow between 1/2 and 5/8 inch long.

What is a Murder Hornet and How Dangerous Are They?

The Giant Asian Hornet (Vespa Mandarina), better known as the Murder Hornet, has been spotted in the Northwestern United States. While there have been no official sightings in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or the Eastern Shore of Maryland, it is important to be informed about this pest, recognize what it looks like, and understand its environmental impacts.

Vespa Mandarina is the largest hornet in the world. A female worker hornet may grow to about 1.5 inches long. While the Murder Hornet can sting humans, Honeybees are in the most danger. Murder Hornets invade Honeybee hives and eradicate all Honeybees within the hive. Without help from humans, Honeybees are defenseless against the Murder Hornet. If the Murder Hornet becomes prominent in the United States, the Honeybee population will decrease exponentially. If you see them on your property, especially if you have honeybee populations nearby, it’s important to call a professional hornet exterminator.

“The European Hornet is a hornet that lives in our area that can be mistaken for a Giant Asian Hornet,” says Craig Sansig, ACE, PHE, Viking Pest’s VP of Operations. “The European Hornet is noteworthy for being the only stinging insect in the area that stings at night.”

How Do I Get Hornets?

Hornets can be found throughout the U.S., including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other East Coast areas. Getting rid of hornets is necessary because they can become protective of their nests and aggressive towards people. Hornets eat smaller insects and some types of tree sap, making them adaptable to a wide range of climates. Hornets usually hibernate during the winter under tree bark, paneling, or decomposing leaves or trees. Queens prefer to nest in hollowed-out trees and similar spots. If any of these environments are near your home or business in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Delaware, you could easily have a hornet problem.

What Are the Effects of Hornets in Homes and Businesses?

Unlike many other types of pests, hornets are unlikely to cause any damage to your home or business property. Hornets only hibernate in existing, sheltered, insulated spaces and build nests from the material they produce. However, people exterminate hornets because they are extremely territorial insects that will sting anyone they see as a threat to their nests. When a hornet stings, it can release an attack pheromone that signals the rest of the hive to sting as well. A group attack by hornets can be very dangerous for humans and animals, especially if someone is allergic to their venom.

How to Prevent Hornets

Although hornets are widespread, there are a few precautions you can take to prevent getting stung.

Preventing hornets begins with a look around your property. If you’ve got any hollowed-out trees or other ideal nesting spots for hornets near your home or business, clear them out or close them off if possible. Without a nesting spot, it’s unlikely that hornets will become a problem. Since Hornets usually hibernate under tree bark, decomposing leaves, and trees, or paneling, we recommend removing as much of this material as possible from around your home or business.

Unlike bees, which are attracted to bright floral colors because they feed off nectar, hornets eat other insects, so they are often indifferent to lighter colors. The color black, however, makes them more aggressive. Because hornets and other wasps are colorblind to red, they see it as black, making red another color of aggression. Try to avoid using red or black as the primary color in your outdoor areas to prevent hornets from becoming aggressive pests nearby.

If you have a serious hornet problem, there are a lot of benefits to calling a hornet control professional for help. In states like New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, hornets can get out of control quickly and become a danger to anyone who comes close to their nests. Hornet exterminators at Viking Pest have all the gear and treatments needed to solve your hornet problem effectively. It’s ideal to address a hornet infestation before the spring when the hive begins to flourish, but a professional pest control company, like Viking Pest, can help you remove the hive at any time of year.

How to Treat a Hornet Sting

If you do get stung by a hornet, care for the wound as soon as possible and stay alert for worrisome symptoms. The two biggest threats from a hornet sting are an allergic reaction or an infection. Follow these steps:

If a stinger is present (which is very rare with hornets), remove it by scraping across it with a fingernail or other blunt-edged object. Don’t pull it out, as this can release additional venom.
Wash the area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress for 30 to 60 minutes, alternating 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
If stung on the arm or leg, keep the limb elevated to prevent swelling.
Apply a corticosteroid cream or antihistamine to reduce discomfort.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Watch for serious symptoms in the hours immediately after the sting.

Symptoms of a sting include localized pain, swelling, redness, itching, and warmth. If symptoms persist or you develop signs of a life-threatening allergy, such as tightness in the throat or chest, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, coughing, or hives covering a large part of the body, see a doctor for hornet sting treatment.

How to Get Rid of Hornets

If you notice several hornets flying around, you likely have a nest nearby. Regularly checking your property can help you spot nests. Use caution when buying products available at your local store to kill hornets. They are sometimes dangerous and often ineffective for hornet control.

Attempting DIY methods to eliminate hornets can result in injury. Don’t put yourself at risk. Instead, give the experts a call to get fast, safe, and effective results. Viking Pest Control provides quality, state-of-the-art management services for hornets in the Mid-Atlantic, including comprehensive plans that outline how to get rid of hornets and prevent their return.

When to Call a Hornet Exterminator

Don’t risk your health by attempting to remove a hornet nest on your own. Leave that job to the experts who have the training, skills, and equipment to get the job done safely. At Viking Pest Control, our team knows how to identify pests and conducts a thorough inspection of your property to determine the scope of the problem and create a customized plan for hornet nest removal.

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Hornet FAQs

What time of the year are hornets most active?

Hornet activity typically increases in late spring and peaks during the summer and early fall when colonies are at their largest. During this time, hornets are more likely to defend their nests aggressively if disturbed.

How long does professional hornet treatment take?

Treatment times vary depending on nest size, location, and accessibility. Many infestations can be addressed in a single visit, although follow-up inspections may be recommended in some situations.

Will hornets leave on their own if I ignore the nest?

In many cases, the colony will naturally die off when colder temperatures arrive. However, leaving an active nest in place can pose a risk to family members, guests, pets, and employees throughout the season.

What attracts hornets to a property?

Hornets may be attracted by sheltered nesting locations, available insect prey, exposed food sources, sugary drinks, overflowing trash containers, and areas with abundant vegetation.

Is it safe to pressure wash a hornet nest?

No. Spraying a nest with water or disturbing it in any way can provoke defensive behavior and increase the likelihood of multiple stings. Professional treatment is the safest option.

Protecting Your Home or Business From Hornets With Viking Pest Control

Viking Pest offers expert treatment designed to effectively and efficiently control and prevent pests from invading your home or business in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. Our use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques focuses on finding the core of the pest concern and controlling Hornets from the source. Through IPM, pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, pets, and the environment. Call Viking today for your FREE and NO OBLIGATION estimate at 1-800-618-2847 or Schedule Online today!

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