Safe European Hornet Extermination Richmond VA

If you see a wasp in Richmond that looks like it’s on steroids, you are likely looking at a European Hornet. While we have many insects people call hornets, this is actually the only true hornet species found in Virginia. They were brought over from Europe in the mid-1800s and have become a common sight in our area during the warmer months.

The first thing you will notice is their size. They are significantly larger than your average yellowjacket.

• Size: A worker is usually between 1 and 1.25 inches long, but a queen can reach up to 1.5 inches.

• Color: They have a reddish-brown head and thorax (the middle section). Their abdomen is yellow with dark, blackish "teardrop" or "C-shaped" markings.
  
• Appearance: Unlike other stinging insects that look "dusty," European Hornets are shiny and smooth.

One of the biggest signs homeowners look for is a paper nest in a tree. European Hornets do not build those grey, hanging paper nests that you see with Bald-Faced Hornets. Instead, they prefer to nest in voids such as:

• Hollow Trees: They love tree knots or the space between exposed roots at the base of a tree.

• Structural Voids: It is very common to find them behind the siding of a house, in attics, or inside the walls of a shed.
  

If you ever get close enough to notice the entrance to a tree-root nest often looks like black mud, theres are reason. Its also another way to identify which hornet your dealing with.

Unlike many other ground dwelling stinging insects, European Hornets produce a large amount of liquid waste. Because their nests are often in enclosed cavities with less airflow, this moisture, combined with their "frass" and the wood fibers they chew up, leaks out of the entry point. This mix builds up in the soil or bark at the opening, turning it into a dark, damp, muddy goop. If you see that black ooze around a hole with large hornets flying in and out, you are definitely looking at a European Hornet nest.

Because of their size, people assume they are extremely aggressive. The truth is they are actually a bit more docile than yellowjackets or Bald-Faced Hornets. If you encounter one in your garden, it will likely leave you alone.

However, we recommend not getting close to the nest. While they aren't as sting happy as other similar insects, they are very protective of their home. If you get within a few feet of the entry point, they will defend it. Their sting is quite painful because they are large and can inject a significant amount of venom.

You will start seeing them in early summer, but the population really peaks in late summer and through the fall. This is when the colony is at its largest and they are most active in searching for food. Once the first few hard frosts hit Richmond in the winter, the workers will die off, and only the new queens will survive by hiding in protected spots to start the cycle over next year.

 When it comes to pest control for European Hornets, I take the practical approach. My goal isn't just to spray chemicals; it's to keep your family safe.

Because European Hornets aren't as aggressive as Bald-Face Hornets, I don't always recommend a treatment. If the nest is located in a tree at the back of your property and you rarely go near that area, it’s often best to just leave them alone. They are actually great at hunting down pests that are a threat to gardens.

However, if the nest is:

• Behind the siding of your home.

• In a tree knot right next to your driveway or front porch.

• Inside a hollow root where you or your kids might step.

Then we definitely need to step in and handle it.

Treating these hornets isn't a job for a homeowner with a can of spray. Because they often nest deep inside voids (like a wall or a hollow tree), a simple spray won't reach the queen.

Here is the process:

• Safety First: I suit up in a heavy-duty hornet suit. These hornets are large and powerful. I dont want to get stung either.

• Using a Ladder: Since they can nest at least 6 feet up, I often have to use a ladder to get direct access to the entry point behind your siding or high in a tree.

• Insecticide Dust: Instead of a liquid spray, I use an insecticide dust. I apply this directly into the void where they are nesting.

• The Result: As the hornets go in and out, they get the dust on their bodies and carry it deep inside. This is the only way to ensure the queen and most of the workers are eliminated.

Once I apply the dust, things will get a little wild for a bit. The hornets inside the nest will get pissed off and activity will ramp up significantly for a short time. This is normal.

Within 24 to 48 hours—and often much sooner—all activity will stop. The dust does its job quickly and effectively.

It is important to remember that I can only treat a nest that we can find. If you see hornets flying around your yard but there is no nest on your property, there isn't much a professional can do.

Unfortunately, there is no way to "control" random worker hornets that are just passing through to hunt flies. If you see a lot of them, there is almost certainly a nest nearby, but until that nest is located, we can't stop the flyers. If you find the hole they are coming out of, Im more than happy to come out and take care of it.