If there are a lot of hornets buzzing around your property, they can make it hard to spend time outdoors from spring, through summer, and all the way into the fall. Although there are several types of stinging insects in Maryland, they are not all the same, and hornets can be especially dangerous. Learning a little about them can help you make informed decisions about how to deal with these stinging insects on your Maryland property. What Are Hornets?Hornets are a type of wasp. Although there are 20 species of hornets, the species you're likely to find in Maryland is the European hornet. They get their name because they were introduced to the United States from Europe in the 1800s. What Do Hornets Look Like?European hornets are known for their large size. They can grow up to an inch and a half in length. They have long bodies that taper to a point, six legs, a set of antennae, and two pairs of wings. Their heads are a reddish-brown color that gradually becomes browner on their thorax, while their abdomen is striped with yellow and brown markings. Although they do have hair on their bodies, it is easily missed by the naked eye, which gives European hornets a somewhat bare, shiny appearance, which is very different from furry bumblebees. What Do Hornets Eat?Although they enjoy tree sap and will even eat leaves, European hornets are not vegetarians. They often feed on other insects, including flies, bees, grasshoppers, and more. Where Do Hornets Live?European hornet nests are made of chewed up wood and cellulose. They prefer to build their nests in hollowed out trees, inside walls, or in quiet buildings, like barns or attics. If they build their hives out in the open, they’ll cover the outside in a papery envelope to protect them from the elements. How Is A Hornet Colony Structured?The social structure of European hornets is well-developed and highly organized. One queen rules the nest, and she is the only female that can reproduce. There are few males in a colony, and they serve the function of mating with the queen. The males typically die soon after fulfilling their duties. What Is A Hornet’s Life Cycle?As fall turns to winter each year, every hornet in the colony dies off except for the new queens and their eggs. These young queens find places where they can shelter and survive through the winter. Then, in the spring they will come out, begin to build a new nest, and lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch and mature into worker hornets, they take over the duties of building the nest and finding food so that the queen can focus solely on her main mission of reproducing. As the summer ends and fall returns, the older queens lay eggs that become the new queens before dying off with the rest of the colony. Why Are Hornets In Maryland So Dangerous?While no one wants to have a close encounter with any type of stinging insect, hornets can often be the worst of all. As the largest species of wasp, European hornets can deliver a powerful and painful sting when they feel threatened. How Can I Prevent Hornets?In order to prevent hornets and their stings, there are several things you can do. Knowing how to behave when hornets are present is important so that you don’t aggravate them or make them feel threatened. Knowing how to make yourself and your home a less appealing place to spend time is important so that you have fewer hornets on your property. Knowing how to get rid of a hornet infestation is important so that you don’t end up in a very bad situation. How To Behave When Hornets Are PresentLike most animals, hornets are not typically looking for a fight. They would much rather avoid conflict if given the choice. However, if they feel threatened, they will not hesitate to sting. How To Make Yourself And Your Home Less Appealing To HornetsPreventing a queen hornet from building her nest on or near your property isn’t always possible, but you can take steps to make the area around your house as unappealing as possible to a new queen looking for a place to build her home. Limit water sources by:
Limit food sources by:
As far as making yourself less appealing to hornets, there are a couple of things you can do. Although opinions are mixed about whether certain colors attract hornets, there is some evidence that they are drawn to yellow, so you may want to avoid wearing that color if you want to avoid hornets. It’s also wise to avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, or other scented items. Sweet scents can attract hornets that think you are a potential food source. How To Get Rid Of A Hornet InfestationIf you are seeing hornets all over your property, it’s safe to say that you have a hornet infestation. Regardless of whether you’ve seen the hive or not, seeing a lot of hornets around your Maryland home is a cause for concern. Hornets are dangerous and you don’t want to risk the safety of your family or feel like you have to stay inside during the nicest months of the year. via American Pest Blog https://ift.tt/2G5WinM
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