Des Moines Hornet Removal

Catch of the Week: Bald-Faced Hornets

August 26, 2016

This past week a few of Preferred Pests technicians were called to a home in Mitchellville with a bald-faced hornet's nest. As you can see in the photo, this is not your average wasp nest. Bald-faced hornets are Iowa's most aggressive hornet and should not be messed with. They will not hesitate to sting multiple times if they feel they are in danger.

The Difference Between Bald-Faced Hornets and Yellow Jacket Wasps

Bald-faced hornets are commonly mistaken for yellow jacket wasps. The bald-faced hornet has a black body with their face distinctly marked white. Most yellow jacket wasps have yellow and black bodies, however, some do have a bit of white coloration. The bald-faced hornet tends to be much larger and longer than the yellow jacket wasp.

Signs of a Bald-Faced Hornet Infestation

The easiest way to detect an infestation is when you begin to notice a lot of activity and swarming. Bald-faced hornets prefer areas that remain undisturbed. The most common places to find these pests are in porch overhangs, trees and bushes. Therefore, as a homeowner, it is important to be aware of nests when doing lawn work such as mowing or trimming the trees/bushes.

How to Keep Bald-Faced Hornets Away

Bald-faced hornets can become more than a nuisance when they are not taken care of immediately. To keep them from wreaking havoc around your home, you can reduce the attractiveness of your property with these helpful techniques:

  • Avoid hanging bird feeders.
  • Cover any potential food sources, such as trash cans and compost piles.
  • If you have any fruit trees, make sure to pick up any fruit that falls to the ground.
  • Check for any broken siding, panels or soffits that could be potential nesting spaces.

Des Moines Pest Control

Have you spotted bald-faced hornets buzzing around your Des Moines property? If so, it is important to let the pest professionals take care of the situation. To remove a bald-faced hornet's nest, feel free to give us a call at (515) 276-7277 or schedule an appointment online!