Bald-Faced Hornet
Black with white face markings, large grey paper globe nest
Individual
Swarm
Nest / Hive
Wing / Body Pattern
What It Is
Despite the name, the bald-faced hornet is not a true hornet. It is a large yellowjacket relative in the genus Dolichovespula, and one of the more visually striking stinging insects in North America. Present throughout Southern California. Size: 5/8 to 3/4 inch, visibly larger than a yellowjacket.
How to Identify
The color pattern is distinctive: black body with white or ivory markings on the face, white stripes on the abdomen, and a white tail tip. This black-and-white pattern stands out. Do not expect yellow. The nest is the strongest homeowner identifier. Bald-faced hornets build large, enclosed, football to basketball-shaped paper nests with a gray papery outer shell and no visible cells on the exterior. Nests are typically attached to tree branches, shrubs, or building exteriors. Entrance is at the bottom.
Behavior and Risk
Bald-faced hornets aggressively defend the nest. They will sting repeatedly and maintain an active exclusion zone around the nest that extends further than most stinging insects. Multiple stings. Venom causes significant pain and swelling. Anaphylaxis risk for sensitive individuals. Colony dies in fall. Nests are not reused the following year.
How to Handle
Do not approach the nest. Do not throw objects at it. If the nest is in a low-risk location, high in a tree well away from foot traffic, and late season is approaching, the colony will die naturally in fall without requiring treatment. Contact a pest control company for nests in high-traffic areas or near building entrances.
Bald-faced hornets are black with white markings (not yellow). The large enclosed grey paper globe nest in a tree or attached to a structure is the strongest identifier. Compare with yellowjackets, which are yellow-black with a smaller enclosed nest, often underground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bald-faced hornets dangerous?
They are aggressive defenders of the nest. A nest in a location with regular foot traffic or near a building entrance poses genuine risk. A nest high in a tree away from activity is lower urgency. The colony ends naturally in fall.
Will bald-faced hornets reuse the same nest next year?
No. The colony dies in fall and the nest is not reused. New queens start fresh the following spring and may build in the same area but not in the old nest.
Why is it called a hornet if it is not a true hornet?
Common names for stinging insects are not always scientifically precise. True hornets are in the genus Vespa. Bald-faced hornets are in Dolichovespula, a yellowjacket genus. The size and the enclosed nest earned them the hornet name colloquially.
Does Beecasso remove bald-faced hornets?
Bald-faced hornets are wasps. Contact a licensed pest control company for nest removal. If you are not sure whether you are looking at a wasp nest or a bee colony, send us a photo and we will identify it for free.
Found a large grey nest in a tree. What is it?
A large grey enclosed paper globe nest in a tree is almost certainly a bald-faced hornet nest. Do not approach it. The colony defends an active exclusion zone around the nest. Contact a pest control company.
What our customers say
4.9 stars · 116 reviews
We live in an apartment complex where beecasso was kindly called to be of service by our apartment management team, to address a cluster of bees that were trying to make their home on our patio. Not only did Beecasso team member, Caleb, come out next day, he was incredibly professional, thorough, and kind during his service. Jerry, another Beecasso team member, also came out the following day and followed the same professional, empathetic, and efficient service that we received the day prior. After the treatment, we had a question about the lingering bees and called the service line that was provided to us on a handout given by Caleb on the first day, explaining more about the process. Steve, the manager / owner, answered and was incredibly knowledgeable, reassuring, and committed to helping the issue resolve. All I can say is that with every interaction, Beecasso was exactly the type of service team that I would hope to address our concerns. They were also extremely sensitive to the alarm presented since we have a bee allergy in our home, and also a tenant next door also has a bee allergy as well and we just wanted the bees gone. So, it was really important to us that no straggler bees entered our house as each service person came and went through our home to the patio. Each member of the team were so cautious and attuned to help keep the inside “bee-free.” Although this is not our property, we are beyond thankful that our management found / contracted this business because they truly were everything we could have hoped during this unsettling process.
We had such a great experience with Beecasso recently. Two technicians came out and they were incredibly professional and kind. They were wonderful with my kids and made sure we felt comfortable throughout the process. They efficiently removed a super large beehive from our garage and did beautiful repair work afterward. The bees were gone quickly, and you'd never know there had been a problem. I highly recommend this company for their expertise and genuine care for their customers!
They came within a day of my calling to relocate my bees. The owner on the phone conveys genuine concern for the plight of bees and doing the best that he can for them. The gentleman who came were friendly and professional.