Two of the most common species of hornets in Maryland are the bald-faced hornet and the European hornet. Even though European hornets are the only ones considered to be true hornets, both species pack a painful sting.
In this article, we will discuss how to identify the difference between these two species, why hornets get in your house, and how to get rid of them.
How Do You Identify Different Hornets In Maryland?
Bald-faced hornets and European hornets may look similar, but they are actually very different. You cannot tell them apart by size and are quite large for hornets. The best way to detect the difference is by their coloration.
Bald-faced hornets are black and white while European hornets are brown, orange, and yellow. In terms of nest building, both species can build papery nests; however, European hornets tend to build a more structured honeycomb nest in covered areas like under eaves.
European hornets can also sting their victims multiple times, but bald-faced hornets only sting once.
Why Do Hornets Get into Your House?
Oftentimes, hornets are attracted to scraps of food left around the outside of the house or open trashcans. From there, they will find their way inside especially if there is more food than they can get.
Most of the time, hornets simply fly in through open doors and windows looking for a bite to eat. They typically build their nests outside and don’t require shelter inside of your home.
However, they will use the covering of eaves, gutters, carports, and sheds to shield their nests from the rain. Having their home base potentially close to a window or door makes it more likely that a hornet will fly into your house.
How Do You Get Rid of Hornets?
The best way to get rid of hornets is to use a long-distance insecticide spray and target the nest. Always spray hornets’ nests at night when most if not all of the hornets will be inside and sleeping. Once you apply one round of spray, wait a couple of hours and apply a second round.
Then dispose of the nest by wrapping it in a trash bag and tightly sealing it off. If you don’t feel comfortable, are allergic to hornets, or the nest is in a hard-to-reach spot, your local pest control company to give you a hand.
My Pest Pros serves Maryland and will happily help rid you of your hornet problem. Not only can they remove active hornets' nests, but they can also treat to prevent more nests from being built.
Conclusion
European and bald-faced hornets are common pests in Maryland and both have stings that pack a nasty punch. To prevent these flying insects and other stinging pests from ruining your day, make sure you have screens on any open windows and doors and call My Pest Pros to spray insecticides around your property.
You can count on the Pros at My Pest Pros to help get rid of hornets in Maryland.