How To Get Rid Of Hornets

To get rid of hornets from your property, garden or outdoor space, you’ll first need to locate the nest before calling for professional pest control services to safely remove it. 

A single visit using the correct treatment could eliminate an active hornet nest, preventing any further aggravation or expansion of the colony. This month at Pest Defence, as experts in safely removing nests, we’re giving you our guide to hornets.

Key Takeaways:

• Hornets become active in the UK from April to November, with colonies reaching full strength during the summer months.
• Natural deterrents such as peppermint oil, strong-scented herbs, and fake nests may help keep hornets away, but are not sufficient for active infestations.
• Professional hornet removal is the safest and most effective option.
• Pest Defence offers expert hornet nest removal services across Essex and London with fully qualified technicians who use specialist treatments.

What time of year do hornets come out?

As with bees and wasps, you probably associate the appearance of hornets with warm weather but aren’t sure when exactly they emerge. 

The hornet’s cycle begins around April, with the Queen emerging from hibernation to build a new nest. Then, in May and June, when temperatures really start to pick up in the UK, the first worker hornets appear and the colony begins to grow rapidly.

By the time we reach summer, the colony is at full strength, and this is the point at which most people might experience issues with hornets stinging, as they can become aggressive if they feel their nest is under threat. It should be noted, however, that hornets are not as aggressive as wasps, so the risk is much lower.

In October and November, when temperatures plummet, the workers die off and new queens will seek shelter for the winter, before starting the process over again.

What keeps hornets away?

There are two main solutions if you need to know what keeps hornets away. One is to try and naturally deter them, but if this does not work, you may need to seek professional removal of the nest.

Natural solutions

• Remove anything that is attracting hornets, such as exposed foodstuffs and sugary liquids. Essentially, keep your bins sealed and your garden tidy.
• Some people find that essential oils, such as peppermint and clove, can be sprayed throughout the home to act as a natural deterrent.
• Similarly, planting strong-scented herbs, such as spearmint and eucalyptus, can act as a very mild repellent in the garden.
• Hanging fake paper nests could also prevent hornets from making their nest. This is because queens may avoid the area due to territorial issues.

Professional pest control

• With a BPCA-qualified technician, you get peace of mind knowing the hornet nest is being dealt with correctly.
• Professional pest controllers will wear appropriate clothing and PPE during the nest removal.
• Species-specific treatments can be used to eliminate a colony that is causing significant disruption to a home or business.
• This is ideal if you have high-risk sites, such as schools, pub gardens or any other hospitality space, and hornets have become aggressive due to their proximity.

Professional hornet removal across Essex and London

When you experience issues at your property, at Pest Defence, we offer a rapid response for professional hornet nest removal. Whether it’s at your home or a place of business, we work carefully and swiftly to put your mind at ease.

Get in touch today if you live in Essex or London and require our expertise on how to get rid of hornets, and we’ll be happy to help.