You’ll need insecticide to get rid of a larger nest. By summer, nests can grow to the size of a basketball and contain thousands of hornets.
If you can’t access a veil, you should wear protective goggles and a hat that covers your ears. To prevent hornets from getting into your clothing, use rubber bands or duct tape to secure your sleeves to your gloves and your pants to your boots.
Try leaving out bait, such as pieces of fruit or meat, then watch it from inside your home. When hornets show interest, look for the direction they fly away, then follow them. Eventually, you should be able to track down the nest.
While you’re at the nest, see if you can find the opening. Hornet nests usually have a single small opening toward the bottom. You might want to use binoculars to look for the hole so you don’t have to get too close. You’ll need to apply insecticide at night, so mark your spot with a brightly colored flag that you’ll be able to see in the dark.
You’ll need a long-range aerosol insecticide so you can target the nest without getting too close. Read the instruction label and use your product as directed.
Since they remain active after sunset, European hornets are an exception to this rule. [9] X Expert Source Scott McCombePest Control Specialist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019. For this species, the best time to spray is just before sunrise when it’s still dark. European hornets can grow over 1 in (2. 5 cm) in length, and have a reddish-brown head and thorax (the middle section of the body). Other wasps and hornets don’t have this reddish-brown coloring. [10] X Research source
You’ll attract unwanted attention if you use an unfiltered flashlight. Remember to wear protective clothing when you approach the nest. Keep in mind treating a hornet or wasp nest yourself is risky, and protective clothing does not make you invincible.
The goal is to keep the nest intact as you soak the opening. That way, any hornets that come out and try to attack with come into contact with the insecticide. Do your best to hold the stream for several seconds, but don’t stick around longer than necessary. If you hear angry, swarming hornets, cover your head with your hands and run toward shelter.
Larger nests might take 2 or 3 applications. When you’re sure the nest is vacant, swat it down from a tree branch or, if it’s on the ground, cover it with soil.
Use 1⁄8 inch (0. 32 cm) gauge wire mesh to cover any large openings or vents.
Additionally, if you have any outdoor pets, don’t leave food outside for them. Food and water will attract hornets.
Continue to check for holes throughout the spring and early summer.
