Bees, wasps, and hornets are cool to watch fly around but no one wants to be stung by them. The stings can cause pain, itching, redness, and stinging. Some people are allergic to stings from these insects. Are hornets dangerous? Yes, if a person is allergic to them. But, hornets usually fly past people and don’t bother you unless you disturb their nest.
Let’s find out more about hornets.
What Are Hornets?
Hornets are a type of wasp in the United States that is part of the Vespa genus. The European hornets are known for being non-aggressive and don’t attack humans unless they feel threatened. This includes being close to their colony or nest. Hornets and wasps are also called yellowjackets and build a nest in the ground or inside walls or in the attic.
Another kind of hornet that is found here in Florida is the Bald-faced Hornet. Let’s learn more about them.
What Does A Hornet Look Like?
Hornets are usually 2-4 inches long and look like giant wasps. The wings are 3 inches long and the belly is yellow and black but sometimes orange and red, depending on the species. They have a stinger that is smooth and up to 2 inches long.
The Bald-faced hornet that is common in Florida has a black body and a white face. They also have distinct marks on the abdomen that are two slanted lines. These lines go from the midsection to the head and to part of the abdomen.
Do Hornets Sting?
The European hornets sting but it is like a sting you would have from a honeybee. It usually gets better in a few hours. It also is not usually a concern unless you are allergic or they sting you multiple times. This is when you want to seek medical advice. The Bald-faced hornets have a sting that carries venom and the stings can itch, hurt, and swell up for 24 hours.
If you are stung by a hornet, you will want to use soap and water and wash the area as well as remove the stinger. Don’t squeeze the area or use tweezers, but instead, run your fingernail over the area or wipe gauze to take care of it. Also, apply ice so you can make the swelling go down and ease the pain. This should help it get better in the next few hours.
Signs You Have Been Stung By A Hornet
If you are allergic, use your Epipen and seek medical attention. Other signs are:
- Wheezing and trouble breathing
- Swelling of the throat
- Problems swallowing or coughing
- Hives, Itching, and swelling
- Cramping In the stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting
How To Avoid Being Stung By Hornets?
The best way is to be calm if you see a hornet that is near you. Usually, they will fly past you and not bother you. However, if you swing at it, it will get irritated and may respond by stinging. If you find a nest on your property, leave it alone and have a professional remove it. Removing a hornet nest on your own can cause you to be chased and stung as hornets defend their nests.
What Is This I Hear About Murder Hornets?
This has been all over the news and social media and fortunately, not seen here in the South, but could move their way down. They are named this as these hornets sting and can be dangerous and can be painful for a few days. However, they don’t actually kill people, which is good.
And What About Giant Hornets?
These are large hornets that sting multiple times and have a giant stinger. There is more venom released if one is stung repeatedly. Unfortunately, 10 hornets can kill an animal that is 150 pounds if they all sting it. Another type of giant hornet is the Asian giant hornet which causes pain and itching but can also cause death so be careful.
Let’s take a look at a video that shows the removal of a 5-foot-tall Hornet’s nest and exactly why a homeowner should not remove it on their own.
Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know about hornets, let’s look at a few other maintenance areas. One of those is carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are dangerous and can cause damage to the home and wood structures. You will know there is damage because of sawdust piles, tunnels, and exposure holes.
Another area is termites. Termites live a varying amount of years, depending on the species but the queen can live 30 years! This is why it is important to reach out to a pest control company if you see or suspect termites.
Lastly, if you find you have birds in the attic, there are a few things you need to do. You will need to identify the bird, look for access points on the exterior of the home, and trap the birds. Then, you will need to clean up the area after you relocate them.
When To Call A Professional
If you find you have a nest of hornets in or near the home, reach out to your local pest control company. They can tell you if they can take care of the bees or refer you to someone. You want to make sure that if you have family members that are allergic to the bees, they stay away until the nests can be taken care of. As mentioned earlier that if you take care of the nests yourself, it will not end well.
Conclusion
Hornets usually won’t bother you, but you will want to have them taken care of if they are out of control or wreaking havoc in your yard or neighborhood. The last thing you want is for them to take over control and then endanger the lives of you, your family, and others. Hornets are not dangerous, but you want to also make sure they fly past you and you don’t bother their nest. Reach out to AAA pest control to get your hornet and bees and other pest issues under control in Oakland Park, FL, and the surrounding South Florida areas.