Differences Between Hornets and Wasps

Both wasps and hornets can make your life difficult. However, hornets are far more aggressive and have more painful stings. Bryn Mawr hornet control helps fight back

Have you ever encountered a hornet or wasp nest on your property? If you stay in the same home for long enough, you are almost guaranteed to have an encounter with one of these nests in your yard or on your home. Unlike relatively passive honey bees that will likely ignore your presence when you come near, wasps and hornets exist at the other end of the aggressiveness spectrum. When you come near the nests of these creatures, you run a serious risk of being stung. Hornets and wasps have distinct characteristics, but one trait they share is a powerful desire to defend their nests from potential predators or even intruders on their territory. For obvious reasons, this is a problematic trait when homeowners want to keep their property free of these insects. So, how can you tell the difference between wasps and hornets, and why should you be even more cautious when coming near a hornet’s nest?

Wasps and hornets are both common in our region, but you likely see wasps more often than their bigger relatives, hornets. Yellow jackets, in particular, are frequently observed in our region, where they are often found near umbrella-shaped nests and in ground dwellings that open from small holes in the earth (frequently in dens and holes created by moles and burrowing creatures). Wasps often have slender bodies that are a little more sharply angled than honey bees, and they usually have bright yellow markings. Hornets, on the other hand, are bulkier and have a more aggressive appearance, including larger mandibles, bigger heads, and fuller abdomens. Hornets appear in many different colors, including black and white, red/maroon and yellow, and other similar combinations. Also, their nests tend to be enclosed teardrop shapes, more closely aligning with what most people would call a hive. While you should always be careful and wary when you come within a few yards of a wasp nest, they are more likely to tolerate your presence. Hornets will not. These stinging insects are far more likely to aggressively target and sting you to keep you away, and their stings are more painful than those delivered by wasps. Thus, if you believe you may have a hornet nest in your yard, make sure to rely on professional help to keep these pests away from your property and your family.

Professional Bryn Mawr Hornet Control

At Mosquito Squad Plus, we know how serious hornet issues can become, as well as the threats they pose to your health and happiness, which is why our team is here to help you fight back. With the help of our highly trained technicians, in-depth inspections, and thorough Bryn Mawr hornet control treatments, you can be sure that after our visit, your hornet problems have been handled. We can’t guarantee that new hornets will choose your property in the future, but with our help, your current hornet and wasp issues will be completely addressed and eliminated from your property.

Don’t let wasps and hornets put your outdoor lifestyle and health at risk. Give our team at Mosquito Squad Plus of Southeast PA a call today at (610) 463-0507 to learn more about our services and how we will help you reclaim your yard.