Color: Black with a white pattern on most of the face
Legs: 6
Shape: Long, wasp-like
Size: 1/2 – 5/8” (12-15mm); queen 3/4” (18-20mm)
Antennae: Yes
Region: Found throughout the U.S.
The bald-faced hornet is a relative of the yellowjacket and gets its common name from its largely black color and mostly white face. This stinging insect is named a hornet because of its large size and aerial nest.
Bald-faced hornets are social insects, although not true hornets. They live in colonies that may contain between 100 and 400 members at their peak. They usually appear in late summer when populations are largest. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season.
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone or anything that invades their space. This makes bald-faced hornet removal somewhat difficult. These hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting over and over again. Bald-faced hornet stings also carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch and swell for about 24 hours. Humans are at the same risk of allergic reactions from bald-faced hornet stings as with other insect stings.
Bald-faced hornets build paper nests at least three or more feet off of the ground, usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length.
If you find a bald-faced hornet nest on your home or property, do not attempt to remove it on your own as this can aggravate the colony and cause the hornets to sting. Contact a licensed pest management professional about hornet removal to avoid the risk of bald-faced hornet stings.
Bald-faced hornets primarily feed on other insects like flies, bees, and yellowjackets, making them beneficial predators in some ways. They're also attracted to sugary substances like nectar, fruit, and sweet drinks.
A bald-faced hornet nest is a large, gray, paper-like structure that can grow to the size of a basketball or larger. These aerial nests are typically found hanging from tree branches, eaves, or other elevated structures.
Bald-faced hornets typically abandon their nests in late fall when the colony dies off. Only fertilized queens survive the winter to start new colonies in spring, and old nests are not reused.