How to Get Rid of European Hornets

Confirm you have European hornets

Start by confirming the bug. European Hornets have a few features that set them apart. Adults measure 25–35 mm (up to about 1.4 in) and are usually brown and yellow. Look for these features:

• Large wasp with a reddish-brown head and thorax
• Yellow abdomen with brown bands and teardrop spots
• Active at night and drawn to porch lights

They are most often confused with cicada killer and bald-faced hornet. See the full European hornet profile for side-by-side details.

Why you have European hornets

European 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 European hornets

European 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 European hornets

Step 1: Keep porch lights off or use yellow bulbs near hornet activity

Keep porch lights off or use yellow bulbs near hornet activity. Keep notes on where you still see activity so you can focus your effort.

Step 2: Look for nests in hollow trees

Look for nests in hollow trees, sheds and wall voids. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.

Step 3: Have large or indoor nests removed by a professional

Have large or indoor nests removed by a professional. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.

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 European 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

European hornet stings are very painful, and colonies defend their nest, though workers are less aggressive away from it.

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 European 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