Hornets in New Hampshire

European hornet ID: a large brown-and-yellow hornet that flies at night and bumps lit windows. NH's only true hornet — quick ID, then the full guide.

Yes, yellowjackets readily nest in wall voids and attics. Never plug the entry hole — trapped wasps can chew through into the living space. Here's why.

European hornet nests can hold up to 1,000 workers; eastern yellowjacket colonies exceed 3,000. Size isn't the whole story — defense and location matter too.

Enclosed gray football vs open umbrella comb vs a hidden wall void — three silhouettes tell the whole story. Which nest is which, and which one needs a NH pro.

Yes, pets face real risk during nest removal — from stings and from pesticide residue. Here is the honest, nest-by-nest breakdown before you treat anything.

Bald-faced hornets aren't drawn in by anything unusual — they need a safe nest anchor and insects to hunt. A tree branch, eave, or wall gives them both.

European hornets nest in hidden wall voids and forage at night, unlike most stinging insects. That combination makes DIY nest removal a genuine pro job.

Dish soap won't safely take down a wasp nest. Honest, safety-first guidance on natural stinging insect control — and exactly when to stop and call a pro.

Only a small, exposed, early-season paper wasp nest is safe to remove yourself, and only at night. Honest, sourced guidance on when to DIY vs. call a pro.

Every wasp nest starts from one queen each spring. Seal soffit and eave voids in late winter, and cut summer food sources — the sourced NH prevention checklist.

Fast-knockdown aerosols kill wasp nests at night, but wall-void colonies, tall nests, and sting allergies are pro-only. See the safe, legal DIY steps for NH.