a tree in front of a house

What To Do If You See a Hornet's Nest

Out of all insects, hornets, wasps, and bees are probably the most feared due to their ability to deliver a painful sting. If you see a single hornet flying around, you probably already know that the safest thing to do is to freeze or slowly walk away. But what happens if you start seeing them constantly flying around your home, and how do you deal with a nest if you find one?

Where Are Hornet, Wasp and Bee Nests Found?

If you see bees, wasps or hornets flying around your home and suspect a nest may be nearby, check the following locations:

  • Wasps typically build their nests under an overhang that blocks the rain. They might nest under a soffit, awning, wood deck, railing or large tree branch.
  • Bees build larger, more durable hives than wasps so they are generally more out in the open and easier to spot. They are often found in trees or attached to the side of the home, but in some cases, bees have been known to enter through a hole in a wall or attic and build a hive inside.
  • Hornets are typically found away from buildings as they prefer to build their nests underground where the underbrush provides cover. Sometimes, they may choose a hollowed out tree or a gap in a wall instead.

What to Do if You See a Nest

If you see a nest, the best thing to do is stay away from it. Countless homeowners have been injured by the sting of swarming hornets, accidentally spraying themselves with wasp spray as they stand under a nest or falling off of a ladder as the swarm starts coming out of the nest. In addition, wild bees are vital to agricultural food production and are currently critically endangered, so you should always avoid harming bees. After discovering a nest, warn any nearby neighbors, keep children and pets indoors and let a professional with the proper training and safety equipment handle the problem. If you need a pest control expert in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, contact Breda Pest Management today.