Giant Hornets, aka European Hornets

[Buggs67]

Anyone have any experience with Giant Hornets, aka European Hornets?

It appears we have some making a home in the lilac bush by the house and I had the misfortune to make ones acquaintance as I was mowing by there. A sudden extremely painful sting on my left hand was the first sign. Long story short; most painful bee sting experience of my life. Constant icing kept the pain at bay and my hand still was incredibly swollen. That was Sunday and now on Tuesday it's finally back to normal size.

I want to obliterate them. Research says they are one of the few wasps that are active at night and even attracted to light. They nest in the bush and maybe in the ground.

 

[Roadworthy]

Check with your local Department of Agriculture. We are starting to see Asian Giant Hornets in the northwest and I think the Department of Agriculture is taking the lead in exterminating them. They bring in a team of people appropriately dressed to do the exterminating.

 

[Doofy]

Those dirty boogers deserve no less than a full-on dose of napalm!

 

[arto98607]

I have used a large shopvac with good success for eliminating problem bees.

Just rig up or duct tape 3 inch hose extension to small ladder or whatever works best and push it close enough to the nest & leave running for few hours.

Works great, but I will prefer to leave non-problem bees alone.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have used a large shopvac with good success for eliminating problem bees.

Just rig up or duct tape 3 inch hose extension to small ladder or whatever works best and push it close enough to the nest & leave running for few hours.

Works great, but I will prefer to leave non-problem bees alone.

He’s talking about a different animal than your average bear. Those giant hornets are just showing up and not something we want to get established here.

 

[wngsprd]

We have a few of these each year, and cicada killers, too.

I've caught them with a butterfly net as they fly to and from the lilacs and stomped them in the net on the ground. I've also used wasp spray. Haven't needed to kill many over the years. They will strip the bark off the lower trunks of lilacs...look there if you decide to spray. I have seen them buzzing the spotlight on the house at night a few times, too, but we seldom use it.

One stung my son on the cheek when he was about 12 years old and that side of his face looked terrible for a couple of days. Be careful.

 

[Tinhack]

I use Black Flag wasp spray. I use the liquid on larger wasps and hornets. The foaming spray seems to take longer to kill and I've seen them buzz around on the ground and fly away. There's cheaper spray but it doesn't work on the larger wasps or hornets.

I go hunting in the early morning while it's still cool. Wait for daylight and DO NOT use a flashlight. They seem to "roost" near the nest but not necessarily on the nest. I typically see 3-4 together with wings folded back in the morning. I've found that spraying those groups first without disturbing the nest works best. If they're close to the nest, by all means, spray both. But be quick about it!

Good hunting.

 

[Hay Dude]

The cicada killer wasps are all over the place here and are every year for as long as I can remember.
I have never known them to be aggressive or go after me while working outside. Despite their ferocious appearance and giant size, they seem kind of timid and just want to be left alone. Never been stung or even buzzed by one.
Eastern Yellow Jackets are a huge PITA this time of year. They are miserable angry little buggers and can sting multiple times. They can also bite. If they sting, they release a pheromone that attracts others to the party from their nest.

 

[oosik]

I recently read an article about the "Murderer Hornets". Over on the west side of the state. They trapped the entire nest - adults and larva. Supposedly one adult escaped. I hope they can't fly over the Cascades. I've got just enough insects that bite, sting, suck & chomp right over here - right now.

 

[daybreak1998]

I started seeing them about 3 weeks ago. At the front door, around the lights in the dark. Plus they fly around and go :bump: into the windows trying to go for the lights inside. They are not the West coast murder hornets. They are Europeon Hornets. They look like Yellow Jackets, but 5-6 times the size. I have found the nest. A Maple tree with a large branch I cut off about 12 years ago. Right at the base of the cut, a small opening is showing all there activity going in and out. The location is about 12 feet off the ground. Yes, they are active at night. I am hoping for some cool early morning weather. My plan of action is to use some expanding spray foam to seal them in.