Hornets
Dolichovespula sp. and Vespula sp.
General Information
Hornets typically aren't aggressive if you leave them alone. However, the fear of being stung — especially if you’re allergic — can get in the way of outdoor fun.
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Hornet nests are grey, pear-shaped, and usually hang downward from tree branches.
- In the spring, queen hornets search areas around the yard to build a new nest. Once the nest is established, they raise their young in a paper-like nest.
- In the fall, all of the hornets in the nest die except for the newly emerged queens who search for a secluded spot to hide for winter. The following spring, the cycle begins again, but the old hornet nests are not re-used.
- Hornets don’t go out of their way to bother humans, but when disturbed they will sting as an attempt to defend their nest.
- Some people can have severe allergic reactions to hornet stings. These people should get immediate medical attention if stung.
Keep hornets away
By limiting access to your home and removing items that attract these pests, you can help protect your family and keep hornets away from your home:
- Repair holes and loose edges on window and door screens to help prevent hornets from entering.
- Restrict access to your home by closing all doors and windows.
- Keep garbage bins sealed and away from your home’s entrances.
- Be sure to rinse all items before placing them in the recycling bin.
- Cover or store food and beverages in sealed containers when eating outside.
Get rid of hornet nests
The best approach is to tackle a small hornet problem before it becomes a big one. Follow these tips for how to help get rid of hornet nests:
- Never attempt to treat or remove hornet nests alone! It’s important to have someone else there in case of an emergency.
- If you’re allergic to insect stings, ask a family member or hire a professional to treat the nest.
- Wait until dusk or after dark to treat hornet nests when it’s cooler and hornets are less active and less likely to leave the nest to sting you.
- To help reduce your chance of being stung during hornet nest removal, wear pants, long sleeves, and gloves.
- Inspect eaves, overhangs, and roofs for new hornet nests and spray them as soon as they are found.
Solutions for Hornets
Kill troublesome wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets — including their entire nest — with this wasp spray that can be used on areas from up to 22 feet away.
Highlights:
Raid® Wasp & Hornet Killer allows you to spray up to 22 feet, killing the entire nest.
- It kills wasps and hornets on contact and is electrically non-conducting up to 32,500 volts.
- Available in 14 oz. and 17.5 oz. sizes.
Flies, mosquitoes, or wasps buzzing a little too close for comfort? Raid® Flying Insect Killer works on contact — both indoors and outdoors — with no lingering chemical odor.
Highlights:
Raid® Flying Insect Killer is specially formulated to kill a number of flying insects including flies, wasps, hornets, and mosquitoes.
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Also available in Outdoor Fresh® and Orange Breeze scents.
- Available in 15 oz., 18 oz., and 20 oz. sizes.
From scurrying insects on the ground to buzzing insects in the air, Raid® Multi Insect Killer spray controls the most common bug problems — both inside and outdoors.
Highlights:
Raid® Multi Insect Killer is specially formulated to kill both crawling and flying insects.
- Kills common listed household insects.
- Also available in Orange Breeze scent.
- Available in 15 oz. size.
Kill fleas and other pests at the source with this powerful water-based formula. And rest assured, our Raid® Flea Killer Plus Fogger kills fleas and hatching egg s for up to four months.
Highlights:
Raid® Flea Killer Plus Fogger allows you to treat an entire room with a water-based formula that kills fleas and hatching eggs for up to four months.
- Available in 15 oz. size.
Kills flies, mosquitoes and listed bugs
Highlights:
Use this product to kill flies, mosquitoes and other listed bugs for up to 6 hours.
- Available in 16 oz. size.
Related
How To Get Rid Of Wasps, Hornets, And Yellow Jackets
The mere sight of wasps, hornets, and/or yellow jackets, tends to put a little panic in our heart. And with good reason, especially if you’ve ever been stung. Read on for tips and solutions to help rid these pests from your home – and prevent them from coming back.
Treating and Preventing a Wasp, Hornet, or Yellow Jacket Sting
Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets sting as a means of self-defense. Their stingers contain venom that can cause mild irritation to some and trigger fatal allergic reactions in others.
Chemical-free Ways to Help Keep Bugs Out of Your House and Yard
To help get rid of pests naturally, you have to think like a bug. How do they get in the house? What are they attracted to? Where do they hide and breed? Find the answers and solutions to these problems below.