Hornets can be a real problem for homeowners. Not only are they one of the more aggressive house pests, but they can also damage your home.
Here’s everything you need to know about hornet nest removal, including how to spot an infestation and how to get rid of them.
What are hornets?
Hornets are the larger cousins of wasps. They tend to be bigger and longer than wasps, and can be more aggressive if provoked.
But they are good to have around if you’re a keen gardener, as they prey on species that eat plants and crops and are useful for pollination.
Read our guides on how to get rid of wasps and how to get rid of bees too.
How to avoid getting a hornet infestation
There are a few ways you can prevent hornets coming to visit in the first place. These include:
- Making sure you don’t have any holes or cracks in your house’s exterior
- Not leaving food out overnight, and try to take out your bins regularly
- Keeping any trees or hedges around your house trimmed, so they can’t nest in them
How to know if you have a hornet problem
There are a few signs you might have a hornet problem in your house or garden:
- Seeing them more frequently – they're most active during summer and early autumn
- Noticing signs of aggression – as hornets are territorial, they might swarm if they feel their nest is threatened, meaning you could be close to one
- If you actually find a nest – they’re usually grey, a round shape and have a sort of papery texture
Where to look for hornets
Hornets like to build nests in sheltered spots, so they’re safe from any predators or bad weather.
This means you might be more likely to find them in:
- attics
- crawl spaces
- chimney
- guttering or eaves
- sheds or garages
- trees close to your home
How do you get rid of hornets?
The best natural way to try and get rid of hornets is to use strong smells to drive them out.
Hornets are repelled by the smell of:
- peppermint and mint
- citrus fruits
- garlic
- bay leaves
- tea tree oil
You could try:
- Mixing some of these scents into a water solution and using a spray bottle to spray it over the nest
- Soaking cotton balls in the scent, for instance, peppermint oil, and leaving it near the nest
- Leaving the actual source of these smells close to the nest, for example citrus peels or garlic cloves
Whatever you do, make sure you wear protective clothing when you approach the nest and only do it at night, when the hornets should be dormant.
It’s not safe to pick up and remove the hornet’s nest yourself.
Getting rid of hornets professionally
If none of the natural methods work, it’s time to call in a professional pest control company.
They'll have the right tools and equipment to safely get rid of the nest once and for all.
