Signs of a hornet infestation? Contact your local Prokill expert, call us on 0800 328 9354
Hornets Pest Control Service
Hornets aren’t the most loved insect thanks to their fearsome looks. They’re relatively larger than wasps which can be scary but they’re actually much less aggressive than the common wasp. Their stings are however painful and unlike bees, they can sting repeatedly without dying.
Hornets will only attack if they feel threatened or when trying to defend their colony so it’s not a good idea to try and tackle an infestation on your own. Please get in touch with Prokill if you spot a nest or have noticed more hornets than usual. We deal with pest infestations all the time so we know how to get your home or business pest-free quickly and safely.
How To Get Rid Of Hornets
To ensure you are dealing with your problem with hornets quickly and effectively we recommend you contact us as soon as possible, we will guarantee that you receive the following service to deal with your ant infestation and eradicate the issue.
- FREE Pest Control Audit - we will assess the size and type of infestation in your home or business
- Accredited Experts - qualified technicians certified with British Pest Control Association
- Tailored Pest Control Technicians - each assessment will be specific to your infestation and the type of property affected
- Proofing and Prevention - our technicians will provide prevention tips for the future
Preventing hornets in your home or business
Hornets are problematic for a number of reasons. With up to 400 insects per nest, their numbers can escalate quickly which increases the likelihood of getting stung. While we may know to stay out of their way, children and pets may inadvertently find themselves on the receiving end of an angry hornet.
Another issue is that some hornets build their nests in the ground. This can cause a real risk to humans because you might accidentally step on one, causing the hornets to attack.
Hornets will generally only sting if they’re attacked but they’re unlikely to take kindly to you destroying their nest. For this reason we recommend that you always call Prokill to eradicate your hornet infestation rather than trying to tackle the problem yourself.
Signs of a hornet infestation
• When they’re building nests, it’s common to see hornets scraping away a thin layer of wood from fences, logs or buildings
• You may notice an increase in hornet numbers or see a nest (check in trees, tree bark, rotten logs, shrubs, sheds, garages, attics, soffits and underneath eaves)
Hornet Prevention Tips for Homes & Businesses
What can you do? How can you prevent hornets swarming or nesting in your home or business premises? Discover our helpful tips:
• Remove any potential food sources such as bins and ensure rubbish is kept secure in a bin with a tightly fitted lid
• Hornets have a sweet tooth so don’t leave anything sugary out such as fruit and fizzy drinks
• Keep trees and bushes trimmed, thinned and open (hornets prefer to build their nests in hidden, protected areas)
• Make sure they can’t get in through holes in the building
Your local Prokill Professional will provide you with advice like this and more in your FREE Prokill Pest Audit, as well as creating a comprehensive control plan that is specific to your problem and environment. Contact us to book yours today!
Different Types of Hornets
Hornets look very similar to common wasps but are bigger and are chestnut-brown and yellow rather than black and yellow. They typically build papery nests in trees although they have been known to make their way into wall cavities and chimneys.
Newly mated queens will hibernate during the winter so you’re unlikely to see them during the colder months. They will emerge once again in spring to begin building their nest. They lay eggs which hatch into sterile female workers who take over nest building and collecting food for developing larvae. Later in the summer, males and fertile females hatch. They mate and the females become next year’s queens. The males, the old queen and workers die in the autumn which is why you will start to notice their numbers dwindling at this time of year.
European hornet
(Vespa crabro)
European hornets have a head which looks yellow from the front and red from above. Their abdomen is mostly pale yellow with black stripes and their thorax and legs are a black/reddish brown.
Asian Hornet
(Vespa velutina)
An Asian hornet will be easy to identify because its abdomen is almost entirely dark with fine yellow stripes and legs with yellow tips.
All Asian hornet sightings should be reported because they pose a significant threat to bee colonies and other species in the UK.
Please get in touch with Prokill if you see one.
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