Finding a hornets nest high up in a tree on your property can be an unsettling surprise. Your first instinct may be to run, scream, or start hacking away at the tree to get rid of it as fast as possible. But hold up! Rash actions can stir up the hornets and provoke aggressive attacks.
Dealing with a hornets nest requires strategic thinking, proper precautions, and expert help when needed. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about hornets nests in trees, including:
- How to identify if a nest is active
- Smart tips to avoid disturbing the nest
- Protective measures if you must approach the nest
- Whether to call pest control or remove it yourself
- Detailed safety precautions when near hornet nests
By equipping yourself with the right knowledge, you can address hornets nests properly and avoid getting stung. Let’s start by understanding what hornets are and the risks they pose.
What is a Hornets Nest and Why is it Dangerous?
Hornets are a type of wasp that build paper nests made of chewed up wood fibers mixed with saliva. Their nests often appear as large, football-sized grey paper bags hanging from tree branches.
Hornets build intricate combs inside the nest to house eggs and larvae. By late summer, a mature nest contains 200-700 adult hornets who aggressively guard their home.
Hornet stings inflict painful venom and pose serious health risks including:
- Severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals
- Potentially fatal anaphylactic shock
- Toxic reactions from multiple stings
- Kidney failure in rare cases
- Increased risk of stroke up to 1 month after being stung
On top of that, hornets have painful stingers with powerful venom that can be used repeatedly. Hornets vigorously attack any perceived threat to the nest, with swarms easily containing hundreds of angry hornets.
One disturbed nest can hospitalize or even kill someone who sustains many dozens of stings. Even a few stings require first aid. Needless to say, hornets nests are extremely hazardous if not handled properly.
Now let’s go over how to identify if that nest in your tree belongs to hornets.
How to Identify a Hornets Nest in a Tree
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what sort of nest you’re looking at high up in a tree. Here are tips for identifying a hornets nest:
- Large, grey, paper-like material – Hornets make nests by chewing wood into a paper-like pulp. Their nests appear as big grey bags hanging from branches.
- Hole entrance at the bottom – Look for a hole towards the bottom of the nest that hornets use to enter and exit through.
- Constant hornet traffic – If it’s an active nest, you’ll see hornets periodically flying in and out of the entrance hole.
- Football sized – Mature hornet nests range from basketball to football sized, around 10-20 inches long. Very large nests may reach 3 feet long.
- Located high up – Hornets prefer to build nests high up near the tops of tall trees and on branches that have cover from rain. Nests are often 20-60 feet up.
- Shiny exterior – Active nests have an exterior membrane that looks slightly shiny or reflective. Old abandoned nests appear dull.
- Buzzing sound – Standing near an active nest, you may hear an ominous buzzing sound coming from all the hornet activity inside.
- Multiple nests possible – Check the entire tree for more nests since hornets can build several per season.
If you confirm the nest belongs to hornets, do not panic. Stay calm and keep your distance. The next step is learning how to stay safe around it.
How to Stay Safe Around a Hornets Nest
Discovering a hornet nest on your property can be alarming. But in most cases, the hornets will leave you alone if you don’t provoke them. Here are smart tips to coexist safely with a hornets nest:
1. Do Not Disturb the Nest
Your number one priority should be avoiding any disturbance to the nest until you can get it professionally removed. Hornets will attack if they feel the nest is threatened.
Do not:
- Throw objects at the nest
- Spray the nest with chemicals
- Poke at the nest with a stick
- Make loud noises like mowing near the nest
Even small disruptions can trigger mass attacks by hundreds of defensive hornets. Leave the area immediately if you see agitated hornets flying around the nest.
2. Stay Away From the Nest, Especially at Night
Give the hornets nest a wide berth. Avoid the entire area within at least 50 feet of the nest as much as possible.
Be especially cautious at night since hornets are most aggressive after dark when they sense vibrations that could be from nocturnal predators. Turn off any outdoor lights near the nest.
3. Wear Protective Clothing if You Must Get Close
If you absolutely must approach within 10-30 feet of the nest temporarily:
- Wear thick clothing from head to toe (long sleeves, pants, hat, gloves)
- Wear closed toe shoes and high socks
- Wear several layers of clothing to absorb venom
- Carry a towel you can wrap around your head for protection
- Consider wearing a beekeeper suit for maximum protection
Despite precautions, try to avoid getting too close unless totally necessary.
4. Seek Emergency Care if You Are Stung
If you sustain any hornet stings, seek medical attention immediately. Antihistamines, steroid medications, IV fluids, breathing treatments, epinephrine, and other interventions may be needed. Multiple stings can quickly become life-threatening. Do not take chances with hornet venom.
By leaving the nest alone, keeping your distance, wearing protective clothing when near it, and seeking immediate care after stings, you can prevent catastrophes with a hornets nest. But eventually, you’ll want to get rid of it for good.
How to Remove a Hornets Nest from a Tree
Trying to remove a hornets nest without proper training and equipment is extremely foolhardy. Here is the safest process:
Call a Professional Pest Control Company
DIY hornet nest removal is only advised for beekeeping experts with lots of protective gear. Otherwise, calling a professional pest control company is the smartest option.
Reputable pest control experts have experience safely eliminating hornets nests. They use long-range sprayers to douse the nest with fast-killing insecticides from a distance, minimizing chances of angering the hornets.
After treatment, they will remove the nest once activity has ceased. This avoids hornets returning to rebuild in the same spot. Removing the nest also lowers risks to pets and people passing by later.
Some companies may even collect honeycomb and larvae from the nest to feed to wildlife rehabilitators. This sustainable practice avoids wasting resources produced by the nest.
Do Not Attempt Removal Yourself Unless Properly Trained
We only recommend DIY hornets nest removal if you:
- Are a trained beekeeper used to handling stinging insects
- Own a full beekeeper suit with extra thick fabric
- Have the proper chemicals and spray equipment
- Can access the nest from creative angles to avoid angry hornets
- Remove the nest at night when hornets are least active
- Feel extremely confident in your abilities
Otherwise, the chances of getting seriously stung are extremely high. The financial cost is also risky if you end up needing emergency medical care after angering the hornets.
For average homeowners with a hornets nest on their property, calling pest control to safely exterminate and remove the nest is the wisest choice.
Now let’s recap some key information about addressing hornets nests in trees:
In Conclusion
If you discover a large, grey, football-sized nest hanging high in a tree that appears to show hornet activity, remain calm and keep your distance. Follow these guidelines:
- Leave the nest completely alone, do not disrupt it in any way
- Stay at least 50 feet away, farther is better, especially at night
- Wear thick protective clothing if you must approach within 30 feet briefly
- Seek immediate medical care if you sustain any hornet stings
- Call a professional pest control company to safely remove the nest for you
- Never try to remove a hornets nest yourself without proper training and protective gear
While disconcerting to deal with, hornets nests in trees do not have to result in catastrophe if handled prudently. By using common sense, taking precautions, and hiring pest control experts, the nest can be eliminated with minimal risks to people or pets.
Stay safe out there, and you’ll be enjoying your yard hornet-free again in no time.
