Is a bald-faced hornet a real hornet?

Despite the name, the bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) is technically an aerial yellowjacket — it belongs to the same family as yellowjackets (Vespidae), not the true hornets (genus Vespa). The only true hornet found in New Hampshire is the European hornet (Vespa crabro). For a full taxonomy and comparison, see the yellowjacket and wasp-vs-hornet guides.

Are bald-faced hornets found in New Hampshire?

Yes. Bald-faced hornets are common throughout New Hampshire from late spring through the first hard frost. They build their large enclosed paper nests in trees, shrubs, and on structures across the state. The nest is abandoned after frost and not reused, but nesting females return to similar sites the following year. See the full guide for seasonal details.

How dangerous is the gray football nest?

Bald-faced hornets are among the more defensive stinging insects in New Hampshire. A colony can contain several hundred to over a thousand workers by late summer, and disturbing the nest triggers a rapid defensive swarm. Stings are painful and, for allergic individuals, potentially serious. Never approach or disturb the nest — professional removal is strongly recommended. See the full guide for safety details.

Bald-faced hornet vs. paper wasp nest — how do I tell them apart?

The nest shape is the clearest tell. A bald-faced hornet nest is a large, enclosed gray football or basketball with a single opening at the bottom — the colony is hidden inside. A paper wasp nest is an open, downward-facing umbrella comb with visible cells and no outer covering. The insects also differ: bald-faced hornets are black-and-white; paper wasps are slimmer and brown-to-yellow. See the full guide for details.

Bald-faced hornet · Dolichovespula maculata

Stinging InsectsNH resident

Bald-Faced Hornet — Quick ID for New Hampshire

Also called White-faced hornet · Bald-faced yellowjacket

The bald-faced hornet is a large black-and-white wasp that builds distinctive enclosed gray football-shaped paper nests in trees, shrubs, and under eaves. Despite the name, it is actually an aerial yellowjacket relative — not a true hornet. This is the fast identifier; for nest removal and sting facts, see the full guide.

At a glance

Size: 15–20 mm; larger than a yellowjacket; Dolichovespula maculata
Color: Black and white/ivory; NOT black-and-yellow — the fastest tell
Nest: Enclosed gray football; aerial; single bottom entrance hole
Relation: Aerial yellowjacket; technically Dolichovespula, not a true hornet

The short of it

Is it a bald-faced hornet?

The bald-faced hornet is instantly recognizable by its black-and-white coloring and large, enclosed gray football-shaped paper nest hanging in a tree or under an eave. Despite the name, it is technically a yellowjacket relative — not a true hornet.

This page is a fast identifier. For nest removal, sting facts, and a full wasp-vs-hornet comparison, see the complete guide linked above.

Identify it

Quick bald-faced hornet ID

The black-and-white coloring and enclosed football nest make the bald-faced hornet one of the easier NH stingers to identify.

Species profile

Bald-faced hornet

Scientific name: Dolichovespula maculata
Family: Vespidae
Size: 15–20 mm
Coloration: Black body with distinctive white/ivory face and white markings on abdomen and thorax
Habitat: Trees, large shrubs, eaves, sheds — anywhere suitable for an aerial suspended nest
Active season: Late spring through first hard frost; nest abandoned after frost
Diet: Insects and spiders for larvae; adults drink nectar and tree sap
Lifespan: Colony lives one season; only mated queens overwinter

Common throughout New Hampshire; builds aerial nests in trees, shrubs, and under eaves across the state.

The tells — key ID features

Black-and-white, not black-and-yellow — the single fastest tell against all other NH stingers.
Larger and stouter than a yellowjacket.
Distinctive enclosed gray papery 'football' nest with a single opening at the bottom.
Highly defensive of the nest — will sting repeatedly and pursue intruders.

Is it actually this? — the confusion species

Yellowjacket

How to tell — Yellowjackets are black-and-yellow, smaller, and build concealed nests in the ground or wall voids — not aerial enclosed footballs.

Paper wasp

How to tell — Paper wasps are slim with dangling legs and build an open umbrella comb with no outer shell — much smaller and more exposed than a bald-faced hornet nest.

What you'll notice

Signs of a problem

The nest is unmistakable once you see it.

A gray papery football- or basketball-shaped enclosed nest hanging in a tree, shrub, or under an eave

What it means — Active bald-faced hornet nest — do not disturb; the colony defends aggressively.

Large black-and-white wasps streaming to a single point on a structure or high in a tree

What it means — Workers using the nest entrance — a colony is established above.

When it's past DIY

Bald-faced hornet removal in New Hampshire

Bald-faced hornet nests are best removed professionally — they defend vigorously and can sting multiple times. The full guide covers nest size, seasonal timing, and safe removal options.

Signals it's past DIY

When to call a pro

Any enclosed aerial nest near the home, walkway, or outdoor living area.
Nest is large, high, or in a hard-to-reach location.
Anyone in the household has a known stinging-insect allergy.
Do not disturb the nest — bald-faced hornets defend aggressively.

Not sure it's a bald-faced hornet?

A licensed NH technician can confirm the species and tell you honestly whether it's a DIY fix or a job for a pro — free inspection, same-day service across Southern New Hampshire.

Get a Free Inspection (603) 785-0118

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Sources(2)

[1]
UNH Cooperative Extension — Stinging Insects
bald-faced hornet NH presence, behavior, nest ID
extensionverified 2026-06-30
[2]
Anchor Pest — Yellowjackets Guide
full NH identification, removal, sting safety
industryverified 2026-06-30

Written & reviewed by

Verified

Daniel Brady

NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)

Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.

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Last updated 2026-06-30

New Hampshire pest control

Dealing with bald-faced hornets in your home?

Anchor Pest Services identifies and handles bald-faced hornet problems across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.

Get a Free Inspection (603) 785-0118

NH-licensed applicators (#782664)
Same-day service · free inspection
Family-owned since 2017

Keep Exploring

Bald-Faced Hornet — Quick ID for New Hampshire

Is it a bald-faced hornet?

Quick bald-faced hornet ID

The tells — key ID features

Yellowjacket

Paper wasp

Signs of a problem

A gray papery football- or basketball-shaped enclosed nest hanging in a tree, shrub, or under an eave

Large black-and-white wasps streaming to a single point on a structure or high in a tree

Bald-faced hornet removal in New Hampshire

Not sure it's a bald-faced hornet?

Frequently asked questions

Dealing with bald-faced hornets in your home?

Your next step

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