Amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new threat has come to America’s shores: murder hornets! These 2-inch hornets typically hail from Asia and are known to kill up to 50 people every year.
📌 Key Takeaways
Murder hornets, also known as Asian giant hornets, are among the world’s largest hornet species and have drawn attention because of their powerful sting and impact on honey bee populations. While murder hornets have primarily been detected in parts of the western United States, homeowners across the country should still be aware of local stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, and bees. Hornets and wasps can sting multiple times, making nests near homes, patios, or entryways a potential safety concern. Bees play an essential role as pollinators and should be protected whenever possible, with relocation preferred over extermination when appropriate. Properly identifying the type of stinging insect is the first step toward choosing the safest and most effective solution. Attempting to remove large or hidden nests without professional equipment can increase the risk of multiple stings and injury. Licensed pest control professionals can safely eliminate hornet and wasp nests while helping prevent future infestations around your property.
Also known as the Asian giant hornet, or Vespa mandarinia, could potentially devastate the native bee population.
While so far these hornets have been confined to the Western shores of the US, right here in our own backyard of Delmarva, there are still wasps and bees to contend with.
Here are the differences between hornets, wasps, and bees, and when you should call an insect exterminator.
Differences Between Hornets, Wasps, and Bees
Hornets
Hornets are actually specific types of wasps. They are typically a little rounder and fatter than the common wasp. Although they nest in the same way as wasps, hornets are known to be less aggressive than wasps if unprovoked.
Hornet stings are also more painful to humans than typical wasp stings because of the chemicals found in hornet venom. Unlike honey bees, individual hornets can sting repeatedly.
That’s because hornets and wasps don’t die after stinging, as their stingers are not pulled out of their bodies.
An easy way to tell hornets and wasps apart is their brown, red, and yellowish-orange markings with a little black on their body.
Wasps
There are thought to be more than a hundred thousand different types of wasp, with new species still being discovered. Wasps are carnivores and use their stingers to kill and lay their eggs inside their prey. Don’t worry, though, as humans aren’t considered prey to a wasp.
This means that wasps can sting more than once, but as long as you don’t disturb their nest or swat at it by flapping your arms, it won’t sting you. You can spot a wasp by its bright yellow and black rings, defined waist, and tapered abdomen.
Aside from the new addition of murder hornets, traditionally three popular types of wasps prowl the United States:
- Paper wasps: Paper wasps construct open, exposed nests that most often resemble upside-down umbrellas.
- Yellowjackets: Yellowjackets build nests that are covered in a papery substance and are often found within wall voids or cavities in the ground.
- Bald-faced hornets: This species also builds papery-covered nests that can be located in natural cavities like tree stumps or cavities within buildings.
Wasps can be dangerous to the untrained. The two most widely available commercial insecticides – sprays and dust – can not be used for various reasons. Sprays are ineffective due to the distance from the nest to the entrance, and commercial dust is legally only allowed to be used outdoors.
A licensed pest control professional can ensure that the wasps and hornets nesting inside of a wall are safely destroyed, after which the structure should be sealed up in order to prevent more wasps.
Bees
Bees are pollinators, spending much of their lives visiting various plants and flowers to gather and distribute pollen.
They also feed nectar and pollen to their developing young. There are almost 20,000 known species of bees, so how they look can differ quite a lot.
Their hairy bodies and flat legs are ideal for holding on to the pollen as they carry it from one area to another.
When a bee stings a human, its stinger becomes embedded in the skin, which kills the bee – this means the chances of getting stung are very low unless the bee feels attacked.
When To Call An Insect Exterminator
While wasps and hornets have their purpose in hunting and controlling pest insects, their painful sting means that they can be a danger when they nest near or inside homes. When faced with these nests, it is tempting to remove the nest immediately.
There are circumstances when this can be done safely.
There are also many circumstances where, for safety reasons, this should be done by a licensed insect exterminator.
If you’ve determined that the nest you discovered is too big for you to remove safely, you need to call a professional.
A licensed insect exterminator like Rice’s Termite and Pest Control can ensure that the infestation is safely destroyed, as well as take preventative measures to prevent more bees from re-entering or re-colonizing the space.
If you’re concerned about bees or other stinging insects around your house, call our team today to learn more about our hornet and wasp extermination services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are murder hornets?
Murder hornets are the common name for the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). They are one of the largest hornet species in the world and are known for their powerful sting and ability to attack honey bee colonies.
2. Are murder hornets found throughout the United States?
No. Most confirmed sightings of murder hornets have been limited to parts of the Pacific Northwest. However, homeowners should remain aware of other hornet and wasp species commonly found in their local area.
3. How can I tell the difference between a hornet, a wasp, and a bee?
Hornets are generally larger and stockier than wasps, while wasps have slimmer bodies with narrow waists. Bees have fuzzy bodies that help collect pollen and typically sting only once before dying.
4. Should I remove a hornet or wasp nest myself?
Small, easily accessible nests may sometimes be removed safely, but large, hidden, or active nests should be handled by a licensed pest control professional to reduce the risk of multiple stings.
5. Are hornets more dangerous than bees?
Hornets and wasps can sting repeatedly because they do not lose their stingers. Bees usually sting only once, making hornet encounters potentially more dangerous, especially for individuals with allergies.
6. When should I call a professional insect exterminator?
You should contact a professional if you discover a large nest, notice frequent hornet or wasp activity around your home, or suspect insects are nesting inside walls, attics, or other difficult-to-reach areas. Early treatment helps protect your family and prevent the infestation from growing.
