Bald Faced Hornets: Identification Guide
Quick Facts About Bald-Faced Hornets
Bald-faced hornets build the large, gray, football-shaped paper nests you see hanging in trees and under eaves. Despite the name, they’re not true hornets; they’re a type of yellow jacket. And they defend their nests fiercely.- Size: About 5/8 to 3/4 inch
- Color: Black with white or ivory markings on the face and body
- Nests: Enclosed, gray paper nests in trees, shrubs, and on eaves and overhangs
- Nest size: Can grow to the size of a basketball or larger by late summer
- Colony size: Several hundred workers at peak
- Behavior: Very defensive near the nest and can sting repeatedly
How to Identify Bald-Faced Hornets
The black-and-white coloring sets them apart from other Tennessee wasps.Their Nest
The nest is enclosed in layers of gray paper with a single entrance hole, usually near the bottom. It’s often hidden in leafy branches until fall, when leaves drop and the nest suddenly becomes visible.
How Dangerous Are They?
Bald-faced hornets attack in numbers when the nest is disturbed, including by vibration from mowers, trimmers, or ladders. They can sting repeatedly and are known to squirt venom toward a threat’s eyes. Keep people and pets well away from the nest.
Bald-Faced Hornet Stings
- What happens: Sharp pain, then redness, swelling, and itching around the sting. Swelling can spread several inches and last a few days.
- First aid: Move away from the nest. Scrape out a honey bee stinger with a fingernail or card, wash the area, apply a cold compress, and elevate it. An antihistamine can help with itching.
- Call 911: For trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, hives spreading over the body, dizziness, or fainting. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if one has been prescribed.
- Also get care: For many stings at once, a sting inside the mouth or throat, or a sting that shows signs of infection.
What Happens in Winter
The colony dies after hard freezes, and only new queens survive the winter, hidden in sheltered spots. Old nests aren’t reused. An empty nest you find in winter is safe to take down.
When to Call a Professional
Active bald-faced hornet nests should be removed by a professional, especially if they’re near doors, walkways, windows, or play areas. Don’t try to knock one down or spray it from below. See our wasp removal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bald-faced hornets real hornets?
No. Despite the name, they’re a type of yellow jacket. The European hornet is the only true hornet in Tennessee.
What does a bald-faced hornet nest look like?
A large, gray, enclosed paper nest shaped like a football or teardrop, hanging from a tree branch, shrub, or eave.
Are bald-faced hornets aggressive?
Yes, when their nest is disturbed. They attack in numbers and can sting repeatedly.
Do bald-faced hornets reuse nests?
No. The colony dies in winter, and new queens build new nests in spring.
Can I remove a bald-faced hornet nest myself?
It’s not recommended for active nests. Empty nests in winter are safe to remove.
