Sixty years
ago, the European hornet would have been a rare sight in the UK, however, it is
becoming a more and more common sight. Yet, they are still an endangered
species so it is strongly advised that killing hornets can impact the natural
biodiversity in your area. What’s more,
attempting to harm the hornet yourself can actually increase the chance of
stings. So, if you do notice a hornet’s nest in your home or business, it is
crucial that you leave it to the professionals rather than attempt to deal with
it yourself.
With their
signature red and yellow markings and large size, a European hornet does look
more fearsome than their bee and wasp cousins. Yet, they are not as ferocious
as their appearance initially suggests, in fact, the distinct markings are
actually to ward away potential predators rather than to suggest that they are
dangerous in themselves. As with most things, hornets can be more
frightening than they actually are - and
it is with knowledge and understanding that can help us tackle the fear. With
this in mind, we have put together a guide to understanding this elusive
species - helping you to educate you and your family - plus showing you that
there is nothing to be afraid of.
Brief History of the European Hornet
Britain’s
largest social wasp, the European Hornet is native to the UK and Europe, as well as being established in both
North and South America - it’s latinate
name is Vespa Crabro.
A subfamily of
the Vespinae, these members are characterised by habits that include chewing up
their food to feed to their young, and chewing up materials to create
paper-like nests.
Due to their
colouring, European hornets are often mistaken for the Asian Giant Hornet -
which are a more dangerous species that is not native to the UK. Though we do
not know when the first hornet was sighted in the UK, it is believed that the
European hornet was introduced to America in the 19th century. This was largely
due to the impact of trade and importing produce.
Due to the
unwarranted fear surrounding European hornets, many of their nests in the past
have been destroyed - leading to them becoming critically endangered. It is no
secret that we need to do more to protect the natural ecosystems and
biodiversity that is in place. That is why in some countries like Germany, it
is illegal to kill or harm a European wasp nest. Though we don’t have this law
in the UK - it signals to us how important it is to protect the decline of
these species.
European Hornet Habits
The fear
surrounding hornets has originated from their unsightly appearance. Their
dramatic yellow, orange and red colourways are starkly different to the black
and yellow markings that we are used to seeing on bees, wasps and hoverflies.
However, this fear is largely unjustified - especially as they are actually
calm beings that won’t attack unless provoked.
How they live
European
hornets are considered social insects that live in colonies with around 200 to
400 members within each colony. Unlike the matriarchal organisation of honey
bees, European hornets reproduction is actually controlled by the workers
rather than the Queen’s overall pheromone control.
When the
hornet Queen is fertilised - she will spend the winter hibernating and in the
spring the nest is created. Within the nest the eggs of the hornet larvae are
laid and are then fed on nectar by the Queen. The larvae in the spring matures
to become sterile female worker hornets, larvae that hatch in the summer are
fertile female and male hornets. The fertile mated females become the future
Queen for the colony next spring. The sterile workers and the male hornets die
at the beginning of the winter. Workers are not sterile by their DNA, but
rather worker policing. In other colonies like honeybees, female worker bees
don’t reproduce to the pheromones that are released by the Queen bee. This was
initially believed to be the same for European hornets, however, this is not
the case. Worker hornets enforce sterility by either physically destroying the
worker-laid eggs or discriminating against the workers that do attempt to lay
eggs. This highly interesting and complex social structure is fascinating and
helps us to understand how European hornets work. If only the Queen Hornet
reproduces, it will less likely create conflicts in the colony, thus ensuring
it survives.
Diet
European
hornets have a carnivorous diet, consuming on large insects like grasshoppers,
flies, yellow jackets and honeybees. Yet, they also have dome plant-based
eating habits too including tree sap, fruit and honeydew.
Nest
Like wasps,
European hornets build their nests from chewed up wood pulp, resulting in a
paper-like cellulose appearance. European hornets typically build their nests
in dark places like hollow trees, barns, outbuildings, abandoned beehives,
attics and hollow walls of houses. However, European hornets are also attracted
to light in the dark.
Hornet’s
nests, although look delicate to the outside eye, are actually very resistant
to rain, wind and other harsh weather conditions.
When to call a
hornet
removal service
Although
hornets are mistaken for being aggressive and dangerous beings, they are
actually calm and will not purposefully seek to harm you or your family. What’s
more, like their bee and wasp cousins, their stings do not cause any further
harm. However, hornet stings are notably known for being more painful, as well
as being potentially dangerous to those who are allergic to their stings.
Although
these allergies are rare, unfortunately, the only way to find out if you are
allergic is to get stung - which can land you in hospital. This is why,
although it is important to respect a hornet’s nest - if it is in a potentially
dangerous location like in your home - you should seek to get it relocated by a
professional.
It can be
tempting to remove the hornet’s nest yourself as it can save you money.
However, this is incredibly risky as hornets will attack if the nest is
provoked, this is why an untrained removal or relocation is potentially very
dangerous for you and your family. What’s more, like bees and wasps, hornets
will release a pheromone when threatened, resulting in more hornets come to
their rescue and to your detriment.
Signs of an
infestation include:
●Nest sightings
●Repeated sightings of hornets around
the home
How to implement a home pest control
In the
summer, it will be difficult to avoid any bee, wasp or hornet nest appearing in
your home. This is why you should take preventative measures to ensure that a
nest doesn’t occur. This can include daily habit changes like not leaving out
uncovered fresh food, and regularly keeping your home clean. In addition, other
preventative measures also include having peppermint oil smelling candles and
cleaning solutions as this is proven to ward off any pesky critters.
What’s more,
educating your family about how European hornets are not as scary as you may
initially perceive them to be will help protect the biodiversity of your local
area for future generations.
Mr Wasp: Safe and Efficient Wasp, Bee and Hornet
Control in Cardiff
If you
suspect that you have a bee, wasp or hornet problem at your home or business in
Cardiff, don’t simply ignore it. Here at Mr Wasp, our trained experts can help
safely remove any nests, as well as relocating them to a safer
environment.
We pride
ourselves on complying with relevant regulations as well as being available 24
hours a day 7 days a week, giving you peace of mind that your infestation can
be sorted as soon as possible. We operate a friendly and reliable service,
ensuring that your home or business remains safe from pesky critters in future.
Wherever you are based in South Wales, our team
can help. To find out more about our services, or to read one of our case
studies -
simply
contact us today.
