Warmer weather is just around the corner. That means the stinging insects, like hornets and wasps, will take flight and make their presence known at our picnics and on our front porch or deck. Beginning in June but mostly from July through October, these pests thrive in outdoor areas and can make their way into homes or other buildings.
While the danger isn’t too great, it can be a nuisance to deal with and no one likes having stinging insects in or around their home. A big part of taking care of these types of infestations comes down to education. So, what are some important things to know about wasps and hornets and how are they different and similar?
- Hornets are actually large wasps.
- The hornet worker is larger than the queen.
- Hornets feed on bees and other insects … not sweet things.
- Hornets will mobilize the entire nest to sting in defense of the colony.
Where to they like to hang out?
These stinging insects can become hostile in situations where they feel threatened, but they don’t make extra efforts to use their stingers. If they do sting, it can be painful but it is typically not threatening. Nests outside the home can make outdoor activities difficult as well.
Hornets can camp out in smaller openings in the sides of homes or buildings and in logs or in the barks of trees but their ideal nesting locations are the branches of trees and bigger shrubs. The nests of hornets are usually in a protected area, large, made of paper, orb like and can contain 100 to 700 hornets.
About their sting ...
Like wasps, hornets will react aggressively if they are in a situation where they feel threatened and their stings can be quite painful. Hornets do have the unique skill of being able to squirt venom. The liquid will enter the eyes of their enemies and temporarily cause blindness.
Just like the wasp, the hornet’s sting is not life threatening but can cause more symptoms with people who are allergic. The most likely symptoms include swelling of the affected area, pain, and redness at the site of the sting.
Is that a Wasp or a Hornet?
There are some differences and similarities between wasps and hornets, which apply to nests, color, diet, the frequency of stinging. The main difference between wasps and hornets is their size. Hornets are relatively larger than wasps, which is one of the main reasons they are so scary, although as previously discussed, they are quite shy.
Hornets can be black and white or a brownish red. Hornets are one of mother nature’s pest controllers. With a craving for insects such as aphids, hornets help rid the world of unwanted garden pests which damage resources within an agricultural setting.
Wasps are smaller than hornets and their nests can be made in the air or on the ground. Their colors vary greatly. They also rarely scavenge for sweets or proteins. Wasps don’t sting unless threatened.