If you have noticed hornets buzzing in the garden and want to get rid of them, keep an eye on them to get back to the nest. At night, spray an insecticide spray specially formulated for wasps and hornets. When you decide to intervene, be sure to wear fairly substantial protective clothing and avoid getting too close to the nest. If he's far enough from home, consider leaving him alone. Hornets eat other insects and pollinate flowers, so they play a very important role in the ecosystem.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Locate the Nest
Step 1. Look for small nests in early spring
The hornet's nest is small and easy to remove when spring begins. If it's the size of a ping-pong ball, it probably contains only the queen and some unhatched eggs, so you can just sprinkle some water with a garden hose.
If it's bigger, you'll need an insecticide to get rid of it. During the summer, these insects' nests can grow to the size of a basketball and contain thousands of hornets
Step 2. Wear protective clothing when looking for the nest to destroy it
Wear at least a long-sleeved shirt, a pair of trousers, sturdy leather or rubber gloves, and boots. Keep in mind that a work suit could be an additional defense and that the beekeeper's helmet with a net protects your head and face.
- If you can't find the helmet, get a pair of goggles and a hat that covers your ears.
- To prevent hornets from getting into your clothes, use rubber bands or tape to secure the sleeves at the height of the gloves and the pants to the boots.
Step 3. Attract and follow hornets if you don't know the nest location
If you've seen them buzzing but don't know where the nest is, watch the direction in which they fly. When they find food, they gather what they can and take it to their shelter.
Try using a compound bait, for example, from a few pieces of fruit or meat and keep an eye on it from inside the house. When the hornets arrive, observe the direction in which they fly away and follow them. This way, you will be able to track down the nest
Step 4. Mark 4-6m from the nest
Hornet nests are gray or beige, shaped like a large, rounded teardrop, and can be the size of a basketball. Typically, they hang from trees, but you may also find them on the ground. Once located, keep a safe distance and mark where it is located so you can track it down later.
- When you are around, see if you can make out the opening. Bumblebee nests usually have a small hole at the bottom. You should use binoculars to locate it without getting too close.
- Since you'll need to apply insecticide at night, mark the spot with a brightly colored flag so you can see it in the dark.
Part 2 of 3: Apply the Insecticide
Step 1. Purchase an insecticide spray with a 4-6 m spray length
Buy one specially formulated for wasps and hornets at a home improvement or gardening store. Read the instructions for use and make sure it produces a continuous jet of at least 4 m in length.
- You will need a long range sprayer insecticide so you can direct it to the nest without getting too close.
- Read the label and use the product following the instructions.
Step 2. Apply the insecticide overnight
The best time to destroy a hornet's nest is about two hours after sunset. These insects are less active in the dark, and most worker hornets return at dusk.
- European hornets are an exception to this rule because they are active even after dark. Therefore, the best time to kill them is just before dawn, when it is still dark.
- European hornets can reach 2.5 cm in length and have a reddish-brown head and thorax (the central part of the body). Other wasps and hornets do not have these shades.
Step 3. Use a flashlight with a red filter to find the nest
Hornets have a hard time seeing red light, so attach a plastic film of this color to your flashlight using a rubber band. This way, you will be able to see which direction to move without disturbing the insects in the nest.
- If you use normal light, you will get their attention.
- Remember to wear protective clothing when approaching the nest. Always keep in mind that it is dangerous to destroy a wasp or hornet's nest and that protective clothing does not make you invulnerable.
Step 4. Point the insecticide dispenser towards the nest opening
Once you locate the mark you placed and locate the nest, try to find the opening. Again, binoculars can help you get a good view without getting too close. When you identify the entry hole, spray the insecticide for at least 5-10 seconds.
- Your goal is to keep the nest intact while you splash. This way, any hornets that attempt to come out to attack you will come into contact with the insecticide.
- Do your best to hold the spray for several seconds, but don't hang around longer than necessary. If they get nervous, cover your head with your hands and run for cover.
Step 5. Check the nest after at least a day and reapply the insecticide if necessary
Wait 24-48 hours, then come back to check the results. If you see any hornets still active, come back after dark and apply another dose of insecticide.
If the nest is large, it may take 2 or 3 applications. When you're sure it's empty, drop it if it's hanging on a branch or cover it with earth if it's on the ground
Part 3 of 3: Preventing the Arrival of the Hornets
Step 1. Seal the cracks in the house
In late winter or early spring, inspect your home and any other properties on your property, such as sheds. Check for cracks in window frames, roof, eaves and ceilings. Close any you find with a waterproof sealant.
Use a 3mm diameter wire mesh to cover the openings and air ducts
Step 2. Eliminate sources of food and water
Do not leave dishes or containers that contain food outside, especially meat and other protein foods, fruits and sugary drinks. Make sure water pipes and lines are not leaking, and promptly remove any puddles that have formed in the garden.
Also, if you have pets, don't leave bowls outside. Water and food attract hornets
Step 3. Keep garbage and recyclable waste bins closed
It is especially important to keep trash and recycling bins well covered if they contain food waste or empty sugary sodas. You should also regularly check the outside walls of the waste containers. Clean them thoroughly if you notice any residue.
Step 4. Fill burrows and openings made by rodents with soil
Burrows and other crevices can attract hornets and wasps that nest on the ground. Check the garden in early spring and fill in any holes you find.
Check again during the spring and early summer
Advice
- If the nest is in or near the house, you can't help but eliminate it. However, if it is far enough away, you may want to let it go. Hornets contain the proliferation of parasitic insects, pollinate flowers and perform a valuable function within the ecosystem.
- If you decide not to destroy the nest, let your family and guests come to see you. Discourage them from approaching and warn them not to do anything that will make the hornets nervous.
- Traps are not an effective method of eliminating hornets, especially if the colony is large.
Warnings
- Call a professional if you need to destroy a nest hanging on a branch that is too high or inside a wall or in the attic. Also, never try to remove it if you are allergic to bee, wasp, and hornet stings.
- Some insect killers use plastic bags to wrap nests and remove them from branches. It is best to leave this method to the professionals. Don't try it.
- Never climb a ladder in an attempt to remove a nest. If hornets attack you, you could fall and get very injured.
- Hornets can become aggressive when their nest is threatened. Plan an escape route in case they get nervous when you spray the insecticide.
