European Hornet – In House Wall

Q: I have these insects at my home. I see individuals going behind my house’s fascia. Do I have a huge problem?

A: It’s a European hornet, Vespa crabro. Unlike the bald-faced hornets that make gray, football-shaped nests in trees and under roof overhangs, European hornets favor nests in hollow trees and in home walls. The nests are abandoned every year.

Like wasps and yellowjackets, these hornets eat aphids, small caterpillars and other landscape pests. But since they can be very aggressive and can forage at night, I recommend you get rid of them. Because the insects can be dangerous, I recommend you hire a professional pest control operator.

European Hornet – Kentucky

European Hornet – Penn State

Also see Hornet nest in attic