Finding And Removing Hornets Nests: Active Nests And Underground Nest Removal

Finding a hornet nest is the first step in the eradication process. Most hornets' nests are located near windows, on eaves and in trees, but they also can be found underground and in the walls of your home. Hornets' nests are made of a teardrop-shaped, paper-like material with one entrance, generally at the bottom.

When removing a hornets' nest, there is a risk of being stung, especially with active hornets' nests. Therefore, protective equipment should be worn, including long sleeves, pants, a scarf, a mask and goggles. A full suit can be purchased for those with allergies, although it is not recommended allergic individuals attempt removal. Instead, a professional should be hired.

Choose a darker time of the day. This helps because most of the hornets will be resting and will react slower at night. Dressed in protective clothing, spray an insecticide designed specifically for hornet eradication into the hole. Most insecticides will spray from up to 20 feet away. Quickly move away and return the next night to repeat the process.

The first step in managing hornet infestation is prevention. This can easily be accomplished by sealing all entry points that a small bug could fit into. Also, do not leave food out. Hornets are attracted to proteins and sweets at different times of the year, so keep a tight lid on all trash cans, do not leave sweet drinks lying around and pick up any fruit that may have fallen off trees.

Traps also can be made at home using a two liter bottle. First, cut the top off the two liter bottle and invert into the bottle. Next, tape it into place. Apply jam into the neck (this will attract the hornets). Fill the bottle with water and add a little bit of dish detergent. The hornets find it difficult to get out of the neck and will fall into the water. The soap makes their wings slippery and makes it difficult for them to escape. Eventually, the hornet will drown. Place your homemade trap within 30 feet of the hornets nest and remember to empty it daily. Otherwise, dead hornets may build up, making it easier and easier for ones to escape.

Aerial hornets' nests can be combated with a bag and a bucket of water. Simply trap the hornets' nest in the bag and tie it off. Place it in the bucket of water and set something heavy on top to keep the nest from floating. Within a day or two, all the hornets will be dead. For and underground hornets' nest, find a clear, glass bowl and use it to block the entrance for several weeks. Make sure there are no air pockets for the hornets to escape through between the bowl and the ground.

If you have problems with hornets in your walls or a problem with a large hornet nest, a hired professional may be the only option. Usually, they use a high-powered vacuum to suck out the hornets.
If you live in the Connecticut area, every year a professional team offers free hornets' nest removal. They carefully suck out the hornets to keep them alive so the venom can be extracted and used for immunotherapy.

For more information about this service, please visit the Web site at freeyellowjacketremoval.com or contact Norman at norman@freeyellowjacketremoval.com or 860-379-6078.





Sources:
Free Yellow Jacket Removal. 2006. 29 November 2006. freeyellowjacketremoval.com.
Hornet Nest Material and Shape. Newton. 2002. 29 November 2006.
www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/zoo00/zoo00401.ht m.
Natural Wasp Control. eartheasy. 2006. 29 November 2006. eartheasy.com/live_natwasp_control.htm.
Paper Wasps and Hornets. Ohio State University. 2006. 29 November 2006. ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2077.html.
Residential, Structural and Community Pests. 1999. 29 November 2006. www.ces.hcsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/horn-yj.htm .