Hornets Pose Serious Threat to Northern New Jersey Residents
Last time we talked about ground bees and the potential danger they pose if they inhabit animal burrows on your northern New Jersey property in Bergen, Passaic, West Essex or Morris counties. Even more dangerous are hornets that nest underground.
The largest wasp species, hornets are often mistaken for large bees. Brown with yellow-orange stripes, hornets grow to 1 1/2 inches long. Living in large social colonies, hornets build huge, layered paper nests. The gray, football-shaped nests of the Bald-Faced hornet are often seen hanging from the high limbs of a tree. But most hornets build their papery gray nests in places protected from the wind and elements. Underground animal burrows and tree cavities are a favored nesting site, but hornets will also build nests between the boughs of evergreens, under building eaves and in wall voids.
Hornets are aggressive and easily excited. The loud noises produced by lawn mowers and leaf blowers can incite hornets to attack. Hundreds may shoot out of an underground nest and attack before humans can take cover. Unlike bees which sting only once, hornets sting multiple times. Attacking hornets will continue their attack until they can’t reach their prey or their prey succumbs. Hornet attacks can be fatal, even to the non-allergic.
If you notice hornets or bees buzzing around a hole in the ground, your shrubbery or home, call a professional northern New Jersey pest control expert immediately. Safe hornet control requires expert methods and safety gear.
I had a bald faced hornet nest in my backyard. Their nests are definitely a problem that calls for a professional for to come out to your home to handle.