As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for everyone in our community, we want to bring your attention to an important issue: the presence of bald-faced hornets in our area.
Why this matters:
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive stinging insects known for defending their nests with painful stings. Unlike honeybees, they can sting multiple times and will do so if they feel their nest in threatened. Their nests are typically found in trees, shrubs, under eaves, or on structures, and can grow quite large by the late summer.
Bald-faced hornet facts:
- They are technically a type of yellow jacket, not a true hornet
- Their nests contain hundreds of hornets by late August
- The paper on the outside protects the nest from standard jet style wasp killer sprays
- They are highly territorial and will attack if you come too close
- Hornets are intelligent and if you are stung, they mark you with a scent pheromone telling the entire colony to attack you
- They do not reuse nests year to year, so removing nests before fall can help reduce the population next season
- They do play a role in controlling other insect populations, but their aggressive nature makes them a safety concern in residential areas
What you can do:
To help protect our community and reduce the risk of hornet encounters next year, we strongly encourage all residents to
- Keep your distance
- Inspect your property for nests, especially in trees, bushes, and under roof overhangs
- Hire a professional pest control service to safely remove any nests you find
- Complete nest removal by the end of August before colonies reach peach size and activity
Please do not attempt to remove nests on your own, as this can be extremely dangerous. Professional exterminators have the proper equipment and expertise to handle these situations safely. By acting now, we can significantly reduce the chances of bald-faced hornets returning next year and ensure our community remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.
If you have any questions or would like recommendations for a local pest control service, feel free to contact the Preserve HOA board.
Warm Regards,
Your Preserve HOA