Bald-faced hornets are large, intimidating wasps—despite their name, they’re actually a type of yellow jacket. These insects typically range from ½ to 1 inch in length and share their yellow jacket relatives' bold, sharp appearance. But unlike the more common yellow-and-black pattern, bald-faced hornets are black with ivory-white markings. Their pale faces are what earned them the name “bald-faced.” Queens are larger than the workers and can be especially noticeable.
These wasps prefer to build aerial nests, often attaching them to tree branches or hiding them in bushes. When they move onto your property, they may build their signature football- or basketball-shaped, gray paper nests along building eaves, rooflines, or other sheltered spots. These nests have a hole at the bottom where the hornets come and go—and it’s usually guarded. Sentry hornets often hover near the entrance, ready to defend the colony.
Bald-faced hornet nests can get impressively large. Some grow up to 24 inches long and 14 to 30 inches wide. Each year, hornet queens start fresh—old nests are never reused. In fact, these wasps often avoid areas that appear to be already occupied, which is why some people leave treated nests in place as deterrents (though they’re not exactly attractive to look at).
Stinging insects come in many forms, but bald-faced hornets have a few unique traits:
Though they have their differences, one thing all wasps have in common is the potential to deliver painful stings. It’s best to approach any nest with caution.
Yes, they can be. Bald-faced hornets are known for aggressively defending their nests. They’re social wasps, meaning others are likely to join in if one attacks. Because they have smooth stingers without barbs, they can sting multiple times.
Most people experience painful, itchy welts from stings, but those with stinging insect allergies are at risk of severe reactions such as anaphylaxis. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stings from hornets, bees, and wasps cause 40 to 50 deaths yearly in the U.S.—a relatively small number considering the population. Still, even one sting can be serious if you have an allergy.
Yes. Since their stingers don’t have barbs, they can sting repeatedly. When they attack, they latch on and may sting several times, injecting more venom and increasing the chances of a strong reaction.
Absolutely. Bald-faced hornet nest removal is not something you should try on your own. Professionals have the proper gear, training, and experience to handle the situation. They can also help prevent future infestations with proactive pest management—routine inspections and early detection are key to avoiding a bigger problem.
There are a few steps you can take to discourage these wasps from nesting near your home:
If you’re dealing with bald-faced hornets or want to prevent future issues, contact the team at Four Seasons Pest Control. We provide effective pest control solutions to homeowners throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
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Ringgold, VA
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Greensboro, NC
Four Seasons is an excellent company. They respond quickly to whatever your needs are and are willing to do anything necessary to handle your service requests. They have top notch people in the office and the field. I recommend Four Seasons highly.
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Danville, VA
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