Yes. Their sting is very painful and can cause significant allergic reactions in some individuals. Because they are highly defensive and capable of stinging multiple times, a nest near your home entrance, porch or play area is a genuine safety
We strongly advise against it. Attempting to remove a nest without professional protective gear and the right treatment tools is extremely dangerous. One wrong move can trigger a swarm attack, which poses a serious health risk to you and your
The cost depends on the location and size of the nest. Treating a nest inside a wall void or a high-up tree branch requires more specialized equipment and time than a nest that is easily accessible. We provide a free
While both are stinging wasps, hornets are generally larger and more robust. Yellow jackets are smaller with more distinct, bright yellow and black bands. European hornets, common in our area, often have a more brownish or reddish-brown color profile.
Hornets prefer elevated, protected locations. In the Charleston area, we frequently find nests hanging from tree branches, under roof eaves, inside hollow tree trunks or tucked away in structural voids like wall gaps and attic spaces.
Adult hornets primarily feed on sugar sources like nectar, tree sap and rotting fruit. However, they also hunt other insects, including caterpillars and flies, to provide protein to their developing larvae.
Yes, most hornets die when cold weather arrives. Only the new queens survive the winter by hibernating in protected areas, emerging in the spring to start new colonies. Because of our mild Charleston winters, some activity can linger longer than
Hornets are highly defensive by nature. They perceive movement near their nest as a direct threat to the queen and the colony. Unlike some other stinging insects, they can sting repeatedly and will swarm quickly if their nest is disturbed.
Hornets are primarily drawn to food sources such as sugary liquids, overripe fruit and other insects. They also look for protected, elevated spaces like eaves, attics or dense shrubs that provide a safe environment for building their nests.
Hornet activity in the Lowcountry peaks during the warm summer months, typically from June through September. This is when colonies are at their largest and most active as they forage for food and expand their nests.
