What to do about That Hornets Nest

A bald faced hornets nest. Photograph by Jerry Payne,
USDA -ARS, bugwood.org

UGA Extension Gwinnett has received calls from several homeowners concerning hornet nests on their properties. They are concerned about them and the potential hazard these stinging insects can pose. The hornets are only a threat when they are close enough to the ground where people can come into contact with the nests. If they are high up in a tree or in another similar location, they are not a threat. Hornets only attack when people mess with their nests or if you try to handle one. In these out of the way locations, they are not troublesome. In fact, the hornets are beneficial in that they consume harmful insects. You best course of action is to leave them alone.

However, if the hornets nests is located where they could sting people, get some flying insect aerosol spray, such as the Raid® products, and apply according to label directions. Wait until early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the hornets are not as active. Stand back several feet from the next and direct the spray to the entrance hole. Apply enough to saturate it. This action should kill the insects.