How to tell you have them
A gray, papery nest shaped like a football or an upside-down teardrop, hanging in a tree, a shrub or under an eave, with a single entrance hole near the bottom, is the work of bald-faced hornets. Despite the name, they are a kind of yellow jacket: black, with white markings on the face. True hornets, such as the European hornet, are large brown and yellow wasps that nest in hollow trees and wall voids, and they are uncommon this far south. Open, umbrella-shaped nests with visible cells belong to paper wasps.
What they damage
Bald-faced hornets defend their nest aggressively and can sting repeatedly, often reacting to the vibration of mowers or hedge trimmers a few feet away. A nest over a walkway, a pool cage or a play area is a real hazard. Anyone with a known allergy to stings should keep their prescribed medication close and call 911 for trouble breathing.
What treatment looks like
We treat hornet nests in the evening, when the colony is inside, applying a labeled product into the entrance. Once activity stops, we take the nest down and bag it, which also keeps other insects from moving into the empty paper. High nests are treated from a ladder or with an extension pole, keeping our distance from the entrance.
How long it takes
Activity usually stops overnight. We remove the nest within a day or two, after checking that nothing is flying.
Florida notes
Because the names get mixed up, tell us what the nest looks like when you call, or send a photo through the inspection form. Big paper nests in Pinellas are found most often in late summer and fall. Nest treatment and removal around the home is covered on every plan, starting with Quarterly.