How to Spot a Hornet’s Nest

Wondering if you may have a hornet’s nest near your home? If you notice there are a lot more hornets flying around your garden, this usually indicates they’ve built nearby. The trick is to find the nest before you stumble into it and end up stung.

First, start by looking in the right areas. You’ll often find hornet’s nests tucked away in higher spaces, or occasionally in the ground. Check attics, garage rafters, home soffits, sheds, and tree trunks. They are likely to build under the roof or behind shutters on the outside of the building.

Here’s what to look for:



Above Ground Wasp Nests

Most people are familiar with the bulbous papery nests that wasps build under the edge of the roof, but if they haven’t yet finished building, you may not be sure what you’re looking at.

Often, you’ll see small hanging pieces, shaped like a parasol turned inside out. You’ll notice these even when small, as they have a unique look. You will likely notice a honeycomb pattern forming if the wasps have gotten very far in the building and there will also be quite a few wasps in the area.

In some cases, wasps build their nests inside walls or fences, so watch for wasps landing on a wooden or stone surface and walking into a crack. If there are several coming and going, you probably have a nest inside the crack and will need special help to remove it safely. It’s important you do not attempt to remove these hidden nests yourself, as it can be dangerous.

Underground Wasp Nests

Some types of wasps will nest in the ground, which makes it harder to find them. However, if you watch for small cones of soil around a hole large enough to fit the wasp body, you can often pick the nests out. It’s also possible that you’ll find multiple holes near each other, since some wasps nest near others, but separately.

When You Locate a Nest

Once you’ve spotted a wasp nest, you need to call in the professionals. They’ll handle the removal for you so you can stay safe and avoid stings. In most cases, if the wasps have created a nest near your home or anywhere you spend a lot of time, it’s best to have it removed so you eliminate the worry of being stung.

Even when no one in the home is allergic to wasps, it’s still potentially dangerous to have them near your family. Since they can sting repeatedly, they can inject a large amount of venom that could still cause issues with your health and unpleasant reactions.

Need a wasp nest removed? Contact Mr. Wasp today to schedule your appointment.