Types of Hornets in Indiana
Hornets are a kind of wasp, both of which are very similar in that they are known for aggressively defending their nests. Unlike bees, they do not produce honey and are much less efficient at pollinating plants. However, they prove to be somewhat beneficial by eating other insects that would otherwise damage crops.
Regardless, the stinging venom can be extremely dangerous to individuals that have a wasp or hornet allergy. What types of hornets and wasps are common in Indiana?
Types of Hornets in Indiana
- Bald-faced Hornet: Their black bodies and white faces help identify the bald-faced hornet. They live in large, grey, pear-shaped colonies commonly found hanging in trees. Each nest can have up to more than 1,000 workers. The large number of hornets living in one home makes it extremely dangerous if a person were to come into contact with the nest.
- European Hornet: The European hornet is often referred to as the giant hornet because it is much bigger than other wasps. They are either yellow and black or white and black and build their homes inside the buildings’ walls. Removing these colonies is extremely complicated as they are often hidden deep inside structures. Because of their size and location, professional help is necessary to eradicate them from work and living spaces. Otherwise, if disturbed, they could attract, and the results could be fatal.
- Ground-Nesting Yellowjacket: While the yellowjacket isn’t technically a hornet, it is in the wasp family. They build their nests underground, which makes it easy to step on their colonies accidentally. You probably won’t even notice their nests unless you walked on it. They make creek banks and forest floors home to their massive colonies. Yellowjackets are often referred to as “meat bees” because they are scavengers and most often contact humans during outdoor meals such as BBQs or picnics. They increase their feeding in the late summer and early fall.
- Paper Wasps: Again, paper wasps are in the same family, but not technically hornets. All hornets are wasps, but as is the case with the paper wasp, not all wasps are hornets. Still, these wasps can also be found in Indiana. They have slender bodies with long legs. Their colonies are much smaller than other kinds of wasps, and they build paper-like combs. Paper wasps are much less aggressive than other wasps and can even be suitable for your garden as they feed on caterpillars.
The Importance of Hornet Identification
Identifying wasp and hornet nests around your property will help you determine if you need to hire a professional to remove the colony. But before trying to eradicate all wasp-like insects from your property, you may want to consider that some wasps, such as the paper wasp, could be beneficial to your crops. On the other hand, hornets are especially dangerous to humans if their colony is threatened, which is why you should never try to remove a colony on your own.
The safest and most efficient way to eliminate harmful insects like hornets from around your home is to contact YES Pest Pros, Inc.
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