It depends on the species, but most hornets nest in sheltered locations. Bald-faced hornets build large, visible nests on tree branches and building exteriors. European hornets prefer enclosed spaces like attics, wall voids, and hollow trees.
Seeing a hornet is scary. Seeing a dozen hornets is worse.
It’s bad enough to find hornets on your property. Not knowing where they nest is a bigger problem, especially if you’ve been stung before or have family members with allergies.
Bald-faced hornets are the most visible nest builders in the Northeast. Their nests are papery, teardrop-shaped structures made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. You can most often find these hanging from tree branches at least three feet off the ground, but they will also build on shrubs, utility poles, porch overhangs, and the sides of buildings. These nests start small in spring and can grow to the size of a basketball or larger by late summer.
European hornets prefer nesting in enclosed spaces like hollow trees, attic spaces, wall voids, barn lofts, and sometimes old rodent burrows. Because these nests are hidden, you might not realize they're there until you see a steady stream of hornets entering and exiting a gap in your siding or soffit. These hornets also remain active at night and are attracted to light, which means they may show up buzzing around porch lights or windows after dark.
Yellow jackets, which are frequently confused with hornets, often nest underground. If you notice “wasps” flying in and out of a hole in your yard, there’s a very good chance you have a yellow jacket colony instead.
What all of these species have in common is that they are easier to deal with in early spring. Colonies get larger with time, and by midsummer, a mature nest can house hundreds of workers—meaning that disturbing it without specialized equipment can be dangerous.
In general, if you see the nest and it’s smaller than a tennis ball, you can probably take it down on your own. If it’s bigger than that, or otherwise hard to reach, it’s better to call a pro.
If you’re a Hopkinton homeowner dealing with hornets, wasps, or other stinging insects,Mosquito Squad of Rhode Island can help with targeted pest control treatments. A technician can come inspect your property to locate nesting sites and then apply treatments to help reduce stinging insect activity around your home and yard.
