10 Natural Ways to Control Hornets

Hornets are closely related to yellow jackets both of these groups compose the subfamily Vespinae within the family Vespidae, which includes all the social wasps. Hornets’ natural habitats consist of meadows, grassland, woodland, meadows, playgrounds, orchards, cemeteries, forests, parks low mountain and urban areas, and gardens. Their diets consist of caterpillars, wasps, grasshoppers, bees, crickets, flies, plant leaves, fruit juice, tree sap, and foods that are rich in sugar, along with nectar. Below we will be discussing ten natural ways to control hornets around your home.

Here is how to tell the difference between a wasp, a hornet, and a yellow jacket.

Hornet Identification: Hornenst are large with a brown thorax, and a yellow-striped body, their average length is an inch and a half. Hornets possess two wings, six legs antennae, and a stinger at the end of their body that is connected to a gland that contains venom. Their stingers are smooth.

Wasp Indentification: A wasp has six legs, two sets of wings, and antennae, about 3/4th inch in size. Wasp are black with white stripes around their thorax and abdomen, they also have a stinger that is located at the rare part of them. These stingers contain venom. A wasp stinger like the hornet is used for self-defense.

Yellow Jack Identification: Yellow jackets have six legs, and two sets of wings for flying, their abdomen is covered with alternating yellow and black bands of color, they also possess shiny bodies with a stinger that has venom. These insects are known to sting several times.

Signs You May Have Hornets

Signs hornets may have an interest in your home.

• Seeing lots of hornets flying near your property.
• Seeing dead bodies of some of these insects lying on the ground.
• Hearing buzzing sounds.
• Seeing circular holes or burrows in the soil or wood material.
• Nests may be discovered in visible areas for example in bushes, under the roof of eaves, or in trees.

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Tips to Control Hornets

If you have issues with hornets there are several natural ways to bring control besides the use of insecticides. Here are 10 natural ways to manage hornets around your home.

The removal of Food Sources: One reason you may be having an issue with hornets may be because of sweet drinks and sugary foods they may have easy access to. When eating outdoors make sure that all foods are properly covered. Never leave foods outdoors uncovered and unattended because this practice will attract not only hornets but flies, bees, wasps, and yellow jackets. Sweet drinks that are spilled should be wiped up immediately, taking these actions will ensure an enjoyable time outdoors.

Mind Your Trash: Your outdoor trash containers should be in good repair with tightly fitted lids because hornets like wasps, bees, and yellow are attracted to sweets. Garbage that is exposed will attract these insects because of the scent including mice, rats, roaches, and flies. Also, make sure that no garbage is on the ground, and keep all garbage swept up and kept in trash containers.

Seal Cracks: Look around your home for cracks, crevices, and gaps and seal with caulk or other type of sealant. Check the eaves of your home and shed, for hornet activity.

Soap and Water Solution: A soap and water solution is a quick and easy way to control hornets, add a teaspoon of dish liquid soap to a cup of water. Add this solution to a 32 oz spray bottle, Once this mixture comes in contact with hornets will stick to their bodies causing suffocation.

A Strong Stream of Water: Knock wasps nest to the ground with a strong stream of water from a garden hose with a jet spray attachment. When using this method stay about 20 ft from the nest. The nest should be sprayed at the base that is attached to the house which will soften causing the nest to fall to the ground, Wasp has been known to abandon a nest once it hits the ground. While spraying the wasp may become agitated and charged at you so be ready to duck indoors.

Wasp Traps: Wasp traps are also effective in controlling not only wasps but hornets as well, these traps can be purchased from places like Amazon.

Mint Trees: Wasp, yellow jackets, and hornets hate the scent that the peppermint emits, install some of these plants in your garden or plant them in pots, and placing them around your home will keep hornets away.

Bright Outdoor Light Blubs: Bright lights will attract hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and other insect pests, why not consider changing your outside light blubs to sodium vapor lights or yellow light blubs that will cause insect pests to be less attracted to your home.

Decoy Wasp Nests: Hornets will not venture into other areas or build a nest next to another wasp nest. Hanging up decoy wasp nests in areas where hornets are seen will discourage them from building their nest causing them to seek another area to build their nest. Decoy nest can be purchased from Amazon.

Peppermint Oil: Add a few drops of dish liquid soap and a few drops of peppermint oil in a 32 oz spray bottle, fill the bottle with water. For proper mixture thoroughly shake the bottle, now spray this solution directly onto the hornets, wasp, or yellow jacket nest, or apply in areas where these insect pests were spotted.

Additional information

If you are dealing with an infestation or a nest that is big and don’t feel comfortable doing the( DIY) job you can always hire a professional pest control company to do the job for you.

Conclusion

The guide will help you to control hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets and will keep the environment safe by not using harmful chemicals that can contaminate especially if misused or drifting off from these insecticides can reach beneficial insects and pollinators causing harm and even death. Take a safe approach to control these insect pests today by following this guide.