Hornet Nest Removal in Columbus, OH

Bald faced hornet, European hornet or just a big wasp?

Two hornets matter in central Ohio. The bald faced hornet is black with ivory markings on the face and builds an enclosed gray paper nest, usually hung in the open. It is technically a large yellow jacket, but everyone calls it a hornet and it behaves like one.

The European hornet is brown and yellow and larger than a wasp. It prefers hollow trees, wall voids, attics and sheds, and it flies after dark, which is why it turns up at porch lights.

If you cannot tell which you have, our guide to identifying the nest shows the differences. Do not get closer than a few yards for a photo.

Large nest in a tree: why hornet colonies get so big

A queen starts the nest alone in spring, and it begins as a walnut-sized ball. Each wave of workers adds paper, so by late summer a bald faced nest can reach the size of a basketball or larger. A nest that looks like a minor nuisance in June can be a serious problem by August.

Colonies stop growing in the fall and die with the first hard freezes. Only new queens survive the winter, and they leave to find new sheltered spots. The old nest is never reused. That is why a nest found late in the year is a different decision from one found in July.

Hornet exterminator in Columbus: how we deal with height and distance

Hornets make height the main obstacle. A nest low in a shrub is a quick job. A nest high in a tree, over a driveway or against a steep roofline takes planning, and some nests are out of reach from the ground.

We look at the approach first. Our options depend on the setting:

• Shrub or low branch: direct treatment of the nest entrance from a measured distance
• Eave or gutter: treatment from a ladder or other steady position, with the area cleared of people
• High tree limb: an extended applicator and a clear line of sight, or a plan to leave it if the nest is too high to reach safely
• Wall void or hollow trunk: treatment at the entry point, since the nest cannot be seen

If a nest is too high or hidden to treat without taking a risk, we tell you that and explain what we can do instead. Products are applied per label directions, and you get the re-entry time from the label.

Is a nest too high for a ladder worth treating at all?

Sometimes the honest answer is to leave it. A nest far from doors, play areas and mowing lines does little harm, and Ohio State's BYGL notes that bald-faced hornets never rebuild an old nest. The colony dies off with winter. A high nest over a patio or a driveway is another matter, since people walk under it every day. Weigh the traffic beneath the nest, not only its size.

Could it be a murder hornet?

Almost certainly not. The northern giant hornet, once nicknamed the Asian giant hornet, reached Washington State in 2019. Washington and USDA declared it eradicated there in December 2024. Ohio State's BYGL team reported earlier that it had not been found in Ohio, and Ohio Department of Agriculture accepted photos of suspect insects.

What homeowners here are usually seeing is a bald-faced hornet, a European hornet or a large yellow jacket. If an insect looks truly oversized, take a photo from a distance and send it to us or to ODA. Do not try to catch it.

What should I do when I find a hornet nest?

Move people and pets away and stay a safe distance from the nest. Hornets sting repeatedly, and a disturbed colony can chase someone well across a yard.

• Keep kids, pets and lawn equipment away from the area
• Do not trim branches near the nest or run a mower or trimmer beneath it
• Do not throw anything at it, spray it with a garden hose or knock it down
• Take a photo from far away so we can identify the nest

What does a hornet nest visit look like, step by step?

1. You describe the nestGive us the location, the approximate size and how you reach it. Photos from a distance help.
2. We check access and anglesWe look at height, nearby traffic and where the hornets are flying. That tells us how to approach it.
3. We keep the area clearAnyone near the nest goes inside. We plan around pets, kids and any allergies you mention.
4. We treat the nestLabeled product goes on the nest from a distance that suits the setup. We keep treated areas off limits as the label directs.
5. We handle the aftermathWe explain whether the nest comes down or stays, and when to call if hornets are still around. A return visit happens when it is part of the plan.

Hornet nest removal cost: what changes the price?

Nest size, height and hiding place drive the price more than anything else. A basketball-sized nest on a low limb costs less to reach than a smaller one forty feet up. A nest in a wall adds the difficulty of treating something nobody can see.

We price by the type and extent of the job and explain the number before we start. Our wasp and hornet nest removal cost guide lays out the factors, and our found a hornet nest guide covers the first steps.

Do I need to take the old nest down after winter?

Not for safety. An empty hornet nest will not be used again, and the insects that built it are gone. If the nest hangs in plain view, it can stay or come down, whichever you prefer.

A nest inside a wall or attic is different, since old paper can draw other insects. If you suspect a hornet colony in the structure, read about yellow jackets in walls too, because both can nest there.

Hornet nest treatment in Ohio: EPA label rules and the ODA lookup

Under EPA rules the product label is the law, and a label also names the protective clothing the person applying it must wear. That is one reason hornet work is not a spray-and-run job. The label sets the sites where a product may be used and the time before anyone goes back to the area.

Ohio adds the business rule. A company applying pesticides for hire needs an ODA Pesticide Business License, and ODA's public search lets you look a company up by name. Ask what product goes on the nest and how far from the nest the technician will stand.