Hornets:
Intro:
In Ada County, there are quite a few stinging insects. Some of those insects include: wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets. You may wonder though what differentiates wasps and yellow jackets from hornets? Hornets are normally more robust, with a larger head and body. Hornets tend to build their colonies in places like eaves, tree branches, or shrubs. This means they could build a home in places like Julia Davis Park or The Grove Hotel. Hornet infestations can be scary, so rely on us, Get Lost Pest Control to be your local Boise hornet control company!
Identification:
- Hornets are light-yellow or white and black in color
- Hornets have a thin waist between the thorax and the abdomen, and can be similar in appearance to yellow jackets
- Hornets are the largest of stinging insects, and can reach up to 5.5 cm in length
- Hornets are the most aggressive of the wasp families, and will sting you if they feel threatened
Dangers:
Hornet stings are painful and at times can be fatal. However, they are likely only fatal when you are stung by a high amount of hornets. Getting stung by a hornet is rare, and will usually only happen if you are bothering them or if they think you’re attacking their nest. That is why it’s important to keep an eye out for hornet nests, especially during summer months!
Prevention:
It is important to clean up any leftover food or waste that may be laying around your house. Foods that hornets may be attracted to include sugars, sap, and proteins. It is also important to make sure that your trash cans around your house are secure, along with any pet food.
For proactive prevention, you can try planting citronella, thyme, or eucalyptus around your house. Though those plants may help, it is likely not able to completely extinguish a hornet problem.
Treatment:
Removing hornets from your property on your own can be difficult and if attempted, should be done while you are wearing fully covering clothing- the thicker the better. However, being your local Boise hornet control company, we don’t recommend trying to exterminate hornets on your own due to the dangers. Call our professional technicians at Get Lost Pest Control for help to eliminate the danger of doing the job yourself!
