Nothing ruins an outdoor get-together quite like hornets. These nasty pests are not just annoying to have buzzing around, but their stings can be incredibly painful, especially if you are stung by more than one at a time. Hornets have a nasty habit of building their nests right in the way of where you and your family regularly walk or spend time, and being swarmed by angry hornets is, unfortunately, highly probable. If this is the scenario you face, it's a good idea to seek professional pest control in Waco. Read on to learn how to distinguish between wasps and hornets and what to do if you are experiencing an infestation.
Hornets vs. Wasps: How To Spot The Difference
It is important to know how to tell the difference between wasps and hornets. This knowledge will help you with your prevention and treatment plans. Below are the three main differences between these two stinging insects:
- Size: In general, hornets are much bigger than wasps. Wasps tend to only be between a quarter of an inch to an inch in length. However, hornets are typically much larger. Some hornet species can be up to two inches in length!
- Body type: Both these insects have unique shapes but the same three body parts — head, thorax, and abdomen. Wasps have slender waists, with extremely small appendages connecting their segmented body parts. On the other hand, hornets have much rounder bodies and are thicker around the midsection.
- Sting: While the sting of any insect certainly doesn't feel good, if you have to choose, you'd rather be stung by a wasp. While they're painful, they're not as painful as a hornet sting. Hornets carry a neurotoxin that, in some cases, can be deadly.
A great reason to seek professional pest control in Waco for a hornet infestation is because of how dangerous hornet stings can be.
Ways To Deter Hornets In Waco
While only a professional can help you truly remove a hornet infestation from your Waco property, there are some things you can do now to help prevent them from showing up in the first place.
Below are some natural ways to deter hornets:
- Make sure to throw away any kind of rotting food, fruits, and vegetables, and store your trash bins away from your home.
- Having properly secure garbage cans will prevent hornets from accessing this major food attraction.
- Some hornets like to build nests in the ground, which is especially dangerous if you have kids, pets, or generally like to spend time outside. Make sure to cover holes to keep them from building nests.
- Hornets and wasps love garbage of any kind. Be sure to do a regular sweep of your home and yard to make sure all garbage is picked up and properly disposed of.
Be careful of DIY methods you find online. Many of them are not only ineffective, but you could get hurt!
What To Do If You Spot A Hornet Nest
If you spot a hornet's nest on your property, the best thing to do is stay away from it. If it's in your yard, make sure your children and pets don't go anywhere near it and keep them away until a professional can remove it.
However, if there's a hornet's nest where you need to walk, say, on your front porch by your door, call a professional immediately. If you must walk by it, wear long clothes and stay as far from it as you can. Also, avoid hitting the nest with your door or going near any individual flying hornets.
Does Professional Pest Control Help With Hornets?
At EnviroGuard, we have over 40 years of professional pest control experience. Our technicians have the skills and tools needed to safely and effectively exterminate entire hornet nests without anyone getting stung. Because hornet stings are significantly worse than wasp stings (with some people dying due to the neurotoxins they carry), it is dangerous to try and get rid of a nest yourself. With our experience and advanced tools and techniques, we have a proven strategy to remove nests and treat your home and yard to ensure hornets do not return. If hornets have taken over your property, let us help you take it back. Call us today!