Photo Album: Giant hornets nest removed from entry way in Fords, NJ
Hornets nest near garage door in Fords
Upon arrival, I quickly located a giant hornets nest on the side of the house next to the garage door. The homeowners were constantly in and out of their garage, and it was their main entry point into the house. So, this nest had to be removed and removed quickly! These ornery fellows weren't yellow jackets. These were European (Giant) hornets, large stinging insects, about an inch long, and that will aggressively defend their nests. European hornets are the only true hornets in the United States (bald-faced hornets, despite their name, are not hornets; they are a type of yellow jacket).
Hornets nest close up in Fords, New Jersey
European hornets have orange, brown, and yellow markings. Because they have a bit of yellow in them, it's easy to confuse these insects with yellow jackets. For homeowners, it's enough to know that either are aggressive stinging insects, and any indoor nests or outdoor nests nearby an areas, like garages and doors, where there is a lot of human traffic should be removed by a pest control professional with the equipment and experience to do it safely. These insects are highly territorial and don't hesitate to sting if they feel that their nest is being threatened.
Inside of hornets nest
I treated the nest area with a knock down and a residual application. Once everything quieted down, I could safely remove the nest. As shown in the attached picture, there was a beautiful honeycomb on the inside of the nest. As dangerous as these insects are, and as often as I have been stung by them, I still am in awe of their nest-building abilities. These insects build their nests with the most intricate honeycomb-structure architecture simply by chewing wood into a pulp and then sticking it together with their saliva, creating the most intricate patterns.
Hornets nest removed from residence in Fords, NJ
For me, one of the best parts of my job as a pest control technician is observing nature up close and personal, especially seeing how social insects that live in colonies interact for the common good. If only we were as cooperative with each other! Unfortunately, once certain insects invade human habitats, they pose a danger and need to be removed.