Hornets appear very similar to common wasps, but are larger and coloured chestnut-brown (rather than black) and yellow. The largest of the British social wasps, they build papery nests in hollow trees, although hornet nests have been discovered in wall cavities and chimneys.
The hornet’s life cycle is similar to that of the common wasp. Newly-mated queens hibernate during the winter, and emerge in spring to begin building a nest. They lay eggs that hatch into sterile female workers who take over nest building and collecting food for the developing larvae. Later in the summer, males and fertile females hatch. These mate and the females become next year’s queens. The males, old queen and workers die in the autumn.
Hornets have an unwarranted fearsome reputation, but will only sting humans if attacked.
What they eat:
Both adults and larvae eat mainly insects. Adults may also take spiders, and queens may supplement their diet with tree sap and windfall fruit. They also stock up on nectar before hibernating.
Measurements:
Length: Workers up to 25mm
Treatment – Bug Busters can help remove Hornets
Bug Busters will assess the site and plan the best way to treat the wasps.
After full protective clothing is donned Bug Busters will treat the nest / entry point with an insecticidal powder containing Permethrin, the wasps then walk on the powder and slowly proceed to carry it through to the nest where they then lick it off of themselves therefore causing death.
The treatment carried out may take 24 – 48 hours to have a full effect if the ball of the nest is not completely accessible.
If however the nest is fully visible the treatment should destroy the nest within 1 – 3 hours depending on the size of the nest.
