Blog Layout

Types of Hornets in Indiana

YESpestpros • Nov 28, 2020

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. 

The post Types of Hornets in Indiana appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

15 Jun, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.
15 Jun, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.
15 Jun, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.
15 Jun, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.
15 Jun, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 
By YESpestpros 15 Jun, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
By YESpestpros 28 Feb, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Feb, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 30 Jan, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Jan, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: