How to Get Rid of Bald-Faced Hornets
A black wasp with ivory-white markings on its face and the tip of its abdomen. It builds large, gray, football-shaped paper nests in trees, shrubs and under eaves. If you are seeing them on trees and shrubs and in yards and on patios, the steps below will help you clear them out and keep them from coming back.
Quick answer
- Leave nests far from activity alone, since the colony dies in winter
- Call a professional for nests near doors or walkways
- Never knock down or spray a nest in daylight
Bald-faced hornets deliver painful stings and attack in numbers when their nest is disturbed.
Confirm you have bald-faced hornets
Correct identification matters, because the right fix for bald-faced hornets differs from the fix for their lookalikes. Adults measure 15–20 mm (up to about 0.79 in) and are usually black and white. Look for these features:
- Black body with a white face and white tail markings
- Gray paper nest with a single entrance near the bottom
- Defends nests aggressively, even from vibration
They are most often confused with yellowjacket and European hornet. See the full bald-faced hornet profile for side-by-side details.
Why you have bald-faced hornets
Bald-Faced Hornets nest in sheltered spots close to food, water and building materials. Late-summer colonies are at their largest and most defensive. Sweet drinks, open trash and pet food attract foraging workers. They are most active in summer and fall, so expect to see more of them then.
When you'll see bald-faced hornets
Bald-Faced Hornets are most active in summer and fall. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: trees or shrubs and yard or patio.
Step-by-step: getting rid of bald-faced hornets
Step 1: Leave nests far from activity alone
Leave nests far from activity alone, since the colony dies in winter. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Step 2: Call a professional for nests near doors or walkways
Call a professional for nests near doors or walkways. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Step 3: Never knock down or spray a nest in daylight
Never knock down or spray a nest in daylight. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Natural and low-toxicity options
These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:
- Keep food and drinks covered outdoors.
- Use lidded trash cans and rinse recycling.
- Hang traps away from where people gather.
- Avoid swatting, which can provoke more stings.
If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.
When to call a professional
Never try to remove a large or hidden nest yourself, especially if you are allergic to stings. A pest professional has protective gear and can treat nests in walls or underground safely.
How to keep bald-faced hornets from coming back
- Inspect eaves, sheds and play sets in spring for small starter nests.
- Seal openings in siding and soffits.
- Fill in holes in lawns and garden beds.
- Wear shoes outdoors, especially on grass.
Safety notes
Bald-faced hornets deliver painful stings and attack in numbers when their nest is disturbed.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
About bees & wasps
The bald-faced hornet is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of bald-faced hornets?
Leave nests far from activity alone, since the colony dies in winter. Most people see a clear drop in activity within one to three weeks when they combine this with sealing entry points and removing whatever attracts them.
Are bald-faced hornets dangerous?
Bald-faced hornets deliver painful stings and attack in numbers when their nest is disturbed.
When are bald-faced hornets most active?
Bald-Faced Hornets are most active in summer and fall.
What do bald-faced hornets look like?
Black body with a white face and white tail markings. Adults measure 15–20 mm (up to about 0.79 in).