Bloody hornets!

[bernhund]

We seem to be getting more and more hornets during the summer and last year we literally had problems every time we wanted to sit outside, during the evening's particularly, when we had lights on. I must've killed 50 of the bds with my electric swat. I think my dog was stung too!
They are not nesting in my house or garden so I've little chance of getting to the nest. So unless I happened to have swatted the queen, this year will be bad too. Does anyone know of a solution? I wondered whether there was something I could spray them with where they take it back to the nest and poison the queen. Any ideas are welcome!

[lj04]

Never had hornets give a problem, they tend to move on very quick. Your not dressed as a bee are you

[Mort7]

Are you sure that they're hornets? European hornets tend to be docile unless threatened - primarily when you approach their nest - and a lot less aggressive than wasps - although Asian hornets, which are a little smaller, and have a darker abdomen, and which are becoming more common, are more aggressive than the European variety.

The bad news it that you need to find the nest, which could be difficult, as they nest anywhere - even underground. The good news is that hornets don't re-use old nests, so if they were a problem last year, you may not see them this year.

If they reappear remember that the more you flap about, the more likely you are to get stung. We occasionally get the odd one or two here, and they're quite happy to be observed quite closely.

Best solution would probably be to move the light away from where you sit, or move the seats away from the light.

[bernhund]

Mort7 said:

Are you sure that they're hornets? European hornets tend to be docile unless threatened - primarily when you approach their nest - and a lot less aggressive than wasps - although Asian hornets, which are a little smaller, and have a darker abdomen, and which are becoming more common, are more aggressive than the European variety.

The bad news it that you need to find the nest, which could be difficult, as they nest anywhere - even underground. The good news is that hornets don't re-use old nests, so if they were a problem last year, you may not see them this year.

If they reappear remember that the more you flap about, the more likely you are to get stung. We occasionally get the odd one or two here, and they're quite happy to be observed quite closely.

Best solution would probably be to move the light away from where you sit, or move the seats away from the light.

These buggers are about 40mm long with red areas of body. They're not particularly aggressive but there's no point sitting outside in the dark when having a BBQ etc. They come crashing around and make everyone (except me of course) go screaming off! They're a real nuisance. And God knows what effect they're having on our oak tree, as they're constantly picking at it which leaves long dark streaks down it. I swear it's crying!

[Boosted LS1]

They strip off wood to make paper just like wasps. They are docile creatures and give you a warning 'bounce' if you approach the nest. They won't sting unless threatened. With luck, as suggested they may have moved elsewhere. Could you move your bbq or alter things to be a bit more accommodating? The smell of food may be attracting them. Not sure I'd want them invading my back yard but I wouldn't go out to destroy them. They'll be killing all sorts of garden pests and are usefull.

[Nimby]

Don't sound like hornets to me - I didn't think they flew after dark.
Asian hornets are incredibly rare - only 9 sightings in England last year and 18 ever.

Big buzzy things that fly after dark in early summer and bump into you sound more like cockchafers (may bugs), which are a beetle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockchafer

[Turn7]

Nothing worse than Cockchafing....

[Mort7]

Nimby said:

Don't sound like hornets to me - I didn't think they flew after dark.

They do, apparently - catching moths and the like. Not something I've even seen myself, as if I sit outside at night with a light on then all the biting insects are attracted to me in the same way that drunks are attracted to a kebab van.

[river_rat]

They do ‘hunt’ in the dark. I was constantly bothered by one a couple of summers ago, buzzing round and into my window at 3 or 4am presumably attracted by the outside light, sounded like a world war 2 bomber and bashed into the window at speed!

Saw it resting on the window sill a few times and it was massive! One night we had a party and it flew in the house and scared all the girls!

Weird thing was it was only ever one hornet at a time, so I assumed it was always the same one?!

It disappeared around October time and didn’t return last summer so hopefully it’s gone for good!

[silentbrown]

We get them occasionally. They're not aggressive and usually are best left alone. I believe they release a pheromone when attacked which summons more of the little sods...