European Hornet: All You Need to Know for a Sting-Free Summer

European hornets are fascinating creatures native to Europe and Asia. They made their way to North America around the 1840s and have since become widespread in the eastern United States, including all of Pennsylvania ¹. These social wasps are not only interesting to learn about, but they also play a vital role in controlling other insect populations and maintaining ecological balance.

These large insects measure between 3/4 to 1 3/8 inches long, with a distinctive brown color and yellow stripes on their abdomens². European hornets build fragile, tan paper nests in concealed locations like hollow trees, old barns, and abandoned beehives – even within walls of homes and attics³.

Although considered a beneficial insect, European hornets can be a nuisance when their nest is located near human activity. In such circumstances, it’s recommended to call a pest control professional with expertise in handling and removing their nests⁴. Learning more about European hornets can help you better understand these captivating creatures and make informed decisions when dealing with them.

European Hornet Overview

Description and Size

European hornets (Vespa crabro) are large insects belonging to the family Vespidae and subfamily Vespinae within the order Hymenoptera. They measure about 3/4 to 1 3/8 inches long. With a brown body, yellow stripes on their abdomen, and a light-colored face, they’re quite distinct.

Distribution and Habitat

European hornets are native to Europe and Asia. They were introduced to North America in the 1840s and are now widespread in the eastern United States. These hornets build fragile, tan paper nests in concealed places, such as:

• Hollow trees
• Barns
• Outbuildings
• Hollow walls of houses
• Attics
• Abandoned bee hives

Biology and Life Cycle

The life cycle of European hornets includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. They’re social insects that live in colonies led by a queen, who is the only egg-laying female. Here’s a basic overview of their life cycle:

1. Queen lays eggs
2. Larvae hatch from eggs
3. Larvae are fed and cared for by adult workers
4. Larvae pupate and eventually emerge as adult hornets

Diet and Feeding Habits

European hornets feed on a variety of insects and other arthropods. They’re known for their ability to capture and consume:

• Large insects such as grasshoppers and locusts
• Spiders
• Flies
• Caterpillars

Their strong mandibles allow them to catch and chew their prey. Additionally, they tend to feed on tree sap and honeydew secreted by aphids, providing them with essential carbohydrates.

Dangers and Safety

Sting and Venom

European Hornets can be a cause for concern due to their painful stings. Their stingers inject venom which may cause:

• Pain and swelling
• Redness around the sting site

Compared to bee or wasp stings, European Hornet stings can be more painful because their venom contains a greater amount of acetylcholine.

Pain relief:

• Apply a cold pack
• Keep the affected area elevated

Allergies and Symptoms

Some individuals are allergic to European Hornet stings. Allergy symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives and itching
• Swelling of the face, eyes, or throat

In severe cases, anaphylaxis can occur, which requires immediate medical attention.

Aggressive Behavior

While not typically aggressive, European Hornets may become defensive when provoked or when their nest is disturbed.

To avoid provoking these insects:

• Maintain a safe distance from nests
• Do not swat or disturb the hornets

Here’s a quick comparison table between European Hornets and common wasps:

	European Hornet	Common Wasp
Size	1-1.5 inches	0.5-0.8 inches
Venom composition	Higher concentration of acetylcholine	Lower concentration of acetylcholine
Aggressiveness	Less aggressive to humans	More aggressive to humans

In summary, it’s important to be cautious around European Hornets due to their painful stings and potential for allergic reactions. To stay safe, avoid provoking hornets and try to maintain distance from their nests when possible.

Nesting and Control

Nest Identification

European hornets build fragile, tan paper nests in concealed places. A few characteristics of these nests include:

• Size: Large and aerial
• Color: Tan
• Material: Paper

Where to Find Nests

You can usually find European hornet nests in the following locations:

• Hollow trees
• Barns
• Outbuildings
• Hollow walls of houses
• Attics
• Abandoned bee hives

These hornets tend to choose out-of-the-way places with little human activity.

Professional Pest Control

When a nest is near human activity or in a structure, it’s crucial to consider hiring a pest control professional.

Pros of professional pest control:

• Expertise in killing and removing nests
• Safety measures in place
• Effective treatment methods

Cons:

• Expensive than DIY methods
• Possible use of toxic chemicals

Common pest control methods include safely treating the nest entrance and ensuring the removal of the envelope. Periodic monitoring of property, especially during fall, can help with early detection and control of European hornet nests.

Comparison with Other Hornets and Wasps

Asian Giant Hornet

The Asian Giant Hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” is not in North America at this time. They have only been seen in the Pacific Northwest and are not to be confused with the European Hornet¹. Some key differences are:

• Asian Giant Hornets are larger at around 1.5-2 inches long
• Their color is mostly yellow with dark/black stripes
• Extremely aggressive and can destroy entire honey bee colonies

Paper Wasp

Paper wasps are a different eusocial wasp species that construct nests made of paper-like material⁴. They differ from European Hornets in several ways:

• Smaller in size, ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch in length
• They have slender bodies, while European Hornets are robust
• Their nests are exposed and have an open-comb structure

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets belong to the Vespidae family and are often confused with European Hornets³. Distinctions include:

• Smaller size, usually between 0.5 and 0.75 inches in length
• Bright yellow and black coloration
• Aggressive behavior when their nest is disturbed

Bald-Faced Hornets

Bald-faced hornets are native to North America and are characterized by their black bodies and distinctive white markings on their heads². These hornets differ from European Hornets because they:

• Are social insects, unlike the solitary European Hornet
• Have white banding on the last few segments of their abdomen
• Measure between 0.5 and 0.8 inches in length

Cicada Killers

Cicada killers are commonly misidentified as Murder Hornets but are actually a native wasp species in North America⁵. Differences from European Hornets include:

• Lengths up to 1.5 inches
• Black bodies with yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen
• Rust-colored eyes, orangish-red wings, and legs

Feature	European Hornet	Asian Giant Hornet	Paper Wasp	Yellowjacket	Bald-Faced Hornet	Cicada Killer
Size	1-1.5 inches	1.5-2 inches	0.5-1 inch	0.5-0.75 inches	0.5-0.8 inches	Up to 1.5 inches
Color	Dark brown, yellow	Yellow, dark stripes	Various colors	Bright yellow, black	Black, white markings	Black, yellow, orange
Nesting	In cavities	In hives/ground	Exposed combs	In cavities	In trees	In ground burrows
Aggressiveness	Moderate	Very aggressive	Low to moderate	Aggressive	Moderate	Low

European Hornets and the Environment

Pollinators and Ecosystem Role

European hornets (Vespa crabro) are native to Europe and Asia, and were introduced to North America in the 1840s. They play a vital role as pollinators within their ecosystem. While they aren’t as efficient as bees, hornets still contribute to the pollination of various plants, including fruit trees.

Here’s a quick comparison of European hornets to bees:

Characteristic	European Hornets	Bees
Pollination	Moderate, less efficient than bees	Highly efficient
Aggressiveness	Can be aggressive, particularly near nests	Generally more docile
Distribution	Europe, Asia, and North America	Worldwide

Prey and Predators

European hornets have a diverse diet, which can impact various insects and wildlife in their environment. Some examples of their prey include:

• Insects (e.g., flies, caterpillars)
• Spiders
• Various arthropods
• Small vertebrates (rarely)

One notable aspect of their diet is that they prey on other stinging insects like wasps and bees, sometimes raiding bee colonies for honey and larvae. This can be detrimental to local bee populations.

As for their own predators, European hornets have a few natural enemies. Some common hornet predators include:

• Birds
• Bats
• Other insects (e.g., praying mantises, other large wasps)

In summary, European hornets are adaptable insects that play a role as pollinators, while also being preys and predators in their environment. Their presence can have both positive and negative effects on fruit trees, bee populations, and other animals.

Prevention and Safety Measures

Securing Property and Homes

To protect your property from European Hornets, ensure any openings in your home, such as cracks and holes, are sealed. For example, fix broken window screens and gaps in sidings. This prevents hornets from entering your home and building nests in cavities or attics. European hornets are particularly common in the eastern United States, including states like Virginia and New York.

Protecting Family and Pets

European hornets can be a threat to your family and pets, as they may sting if they feel threatened. Ensure your loved ones are aware of hornet habits, such as being active at night, so they can avoid attracting them. Keep food sources, such as pet food and trash cans, sealed and inaccessible to hornets. This helps keep them away from your home and reduces the chance of an encounter.

Here are some quick tips for protecting family and pets:

• Teach children not to approach hornets.
• Keep pets indoors or in supervised areas.
• Be cautious when disturbing areas where hornets might nest.

Outdoor Lighting

Since European hornets are active at night, it is beneficial to reconsider your outdoor lighting. Hornets are attracted to bright, white lights, so consider using yellow or warm-colored porch lights and garden lights. This reduces the attractiveness of your property to hornets searching for food.

Comparison of light types:

Light Color	Attractiveness to Hornets	Suitable for Outdoor Use
White	High	Less suitable
Yellow	Low	More suitable
Warm colors	Low	More suitable

Footnotes

1. https://extension.psu.edu/european-hornet ²

2. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/european-hornets ²

3. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/european-hornet/ ²

4. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/european-hornets ²

5. https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/its-big-its-not-murder-hornet-how-identify-large-wasps

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