Are Hornets and Wasps Dangerous?
Wasps, hornets, and other forms of vespid wasps are some of the most dangerous species of stinging insects due to their powerful stings, which in rare cases can prove fatal. If they feel threatened, wasps will attack. That is why you should partner with a pest control company that will deliver a safe and effective wasp control service.
If you’ve begun to notice the signs of a flying insect infestation in your house you’re probably hoping to identify where they are coming from and which specific pest you’re dealing with- could it be a hornets or wasp’s nest? Here are a few ways to identify the bees nest you are dealing with:
- The way the nest looks
- The size of the nest
- The location of the nest
If you are unsure of the bee family you are dealing with, protect yourself and your home by letting our expert pest control team eliminate your problem. While it is recommended to leave the matter to experts, we do agree having some knowledge about the kind of pests attacking your home can help you tackle the problem thoroughly. This blog discusses a few of the ways to tell the difference between a Hornet Nest vs Wasp Nest.
Are Hornets and Wasps Similar?
Yes! Wasps and hornets have many similarities and actually belong to the same insect family; Vespidae. This means that all members of these bee families will have venom and sting objects that disturb their nests. This can be a large threat to humans, especially those with allergies because both hornets and wasps live in colonies. This means as an extremely social species, these bees have a strong urge to protect their fellow colony members.
It is because Hornets and Wasps are so similar to each other, that people often find it difficult to identify the threat they may be dealing with. Sometimes they can even be confused with another member of their species, yellow jackets. However, there are some striking differences that can make it easier to distinguish between them.
What Does A Hornet Nest Look Like?
Hornet nests have the appearance of a large football and have a single entrance hole at the bottom from where hornets can come in and out. To the human eye, these nests look to be made of gray paper.
Their nests can be attached to tree branches, shrubs, or poles, and are about 3 inches long. Crazy enough, with their thick multi-layered shell, the nests can have anywhere from 2 to 4 horizontal combs inside.
Can you believe a typical hornet nest will contain about 100-700 workers?
What Does A Wasps Nest Look Like?
Unlike Hornets, Wasp nests are normally found in more popular areas within crevices and cracks of your home, garages, and storage sheds. This means that wasps can pose a deeper threat to objects within their nest space. The reason wasp nests are usually much harder to discover is their lack of any protective outer shell to protect only a single comb cell.
When inspecting your space for wasps it’s important to know their nests most famously look like an upside-down umbrella.
What To Do About A Hornet Or Wasp Nest
Approaching a wasp or hornet nest without professional help is dangerous and can lead to unnecessary aggravation of the pests inside. When bees have been threatened they are more likely to attack, which means if you’ve detected a nest on your property it is best to seek professional help to have it removed as quickly as possible. Our team at Scotts Turf and Pest Services is here to solve all your pest-related problems. Call us at (919) 823-7982!