While mowing, I found a nest of these formed in the base of an oak tree.
They are not in an area likely to cause trouble for us, but they are a non-native species. On that basis of being non-native, is it wise to have this nest removed?
David
Non-native? I would call to have them removed. Native insects have enough competition from other Natives, so getting invasive species stopped helps the Natives.
The local paper, Craigslist, often have ads for bee and hornet removal if you need someone to do the job.
If you’re sure they’re European Hornets, get a professional! These things are not aggressive unless they feel threatened and then they come at you in a swarm and, as more than one person told me, with each sting you’ll feel like you’ve been shot. (And these people weren’t trying to sell me anything.) We had European Hornets build a nest in a soffit on our house and got a pro to come take care of them. Gone in one treatment. Some things really are worth paying for.
If you’re not sure they’re really European Hornets, look online or ask your county Ag Extension Agent.
I’m quite sure of the ID of these.
After reading that these are not entirely dormant at night and also post sentries to guard the nest entrance, I knew I was going to call a pro.
Not all Non-native species are recommended to be controlled. European honeybees for example are considered quite desirable.
When I found a big nest under my deck stairs, I called a professional. These are nothing to mess with for sure.
I’d just wait them out. I had a nest of them in a tree in the pasture a few years ago, and did some research. It said that they never return to the same tree the next year, so I just left them alone for the rest of the season and they didn’t come back. I still see them around now and then, so I’m sure they’re somewhere, but they are no longer in my tree.
Exterminator
Only time I used one! 125. I felt happy enough to pay it. ???
We are dealing with an “infestation” of them here at our house in southern Maryland. Still haven’t found the nest, but we cannot leave porch/landscape lights on at night, or we have swarms of them around the lights. I literally cannot get out of my house during pre-dawn hours, because they attack me. Any door I open, any light they see, they are on it faster than I can get out the door… I cannot even turn lights on in the barn at 5am to feed, or they attack me there, too. It’s like something out of a cheap sci-fi horror movie.
We DID call in “professionals” - had an “inspector” come out and try to have us sign a contract for $400+ to remove them, finally agreed on $250 because the job was going to be so “intensive” and require 40’ ladders to spray the tops of our trees out front. Yeah, well, all we got for $250 was 1 guy with a 1-gallon sprayer and a wand, piddling liquid 10’ up in the tree. NOT HAPPY AT ALL.
Hornets are not gone, population is not significantly decreased… We’ll be calling on Monday to discuss the situation/payment with the company.
Are these the same as yellow jackets? I’m trying to convince my DH to call a professional to deal with a yellow jacket nest off our summer kitchen (not in use). So far he hasn’t made that call… I have also heard they won’t come back to the same place next year, but I still don’t like the idea of them being there. Everything I’ve read say they are not beneficial in any way whatsoever - they’re not even pollinators.
These are not yellow jackets. YJs are pretty easy to kill yourself if they’re in a troublesome spot just hit them late at night.
[QUOTE=DHCarrotfeeder;8323529]
These are not yellow jackets. YJs are pretty easy to kill yourself if they’re in a troublesome spot just hit them late at night.[/QUOTE]
I’ll have to google European hornets. He’s tried spray a couple of times on the yellow jackets, even the foaming kind that fills up the hole they’re going in/out of, but so far hasn’t worked.
European hornets are about 20x bigger than yellow jackets.
I’d suggest napalm.
We had a nest at our barn one summer. I was riding in the evening then, and they’d flock to the wash stall lights. If I killed one, another would come to check on it. Aggressive, territorial, protective and team players. I’m so grateful that either that winter killed them or they moved on. Nasty buggers.
