Yellow Jackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and European Hornets: What to Know Before Nesting Season Hits

Yellow Jacket Ground Nest

🐝Yellow Jackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and European Hornets: What to Know Before Nesting Season Hits

As summer heats up in Downingtown, Coatesville, West Chester, Malvern, and surrounding areas, yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets, and European hornets will soon be buzzing in full force — and they’re more than just a nuisance. These aggressive stinging insects can pose serious risks to your family and property. Here’s what homeowners in Chester County and beyond need to know to stay safe and protected this season.

🧐 What Do They Look Like?

1. Yellow Jackets

  • Bright yellow with black stripes and a narrow waist
  • Around ½ inch long with shiny, hairless bodies
  • Fast and aggressive when disturbed
  • Common in yards, wall voids, and garden beds throughout neighborhoods in Downingtown and West Chester

2. Bald-Faced Hornets

  • Black with white facial markings and a thick body
  • Around ¾ inch long
  • Build large gray paper nests high up in trees, sheds, and eaves
  • Frequently spotted around wooded properties 

3. European Hornets

  • Brown with yellow bands and reddish wings
  • Can grow up to 1.5 inches long
  • Active day and night, and may buzz around porch lights after dark
  • Known to nest in hollow trees, wall voids, and attics across Chester County

🏡 Where Do They Build Nests?

  • Yellow Jackets: Ground nests, wall voids, mulch beds, or abandoned rodent burrows
  • Bald-Faced Hornets: Large hanging paper nests in trees, soffits, or shrubs
  • European Hornets: Inside attics, sheds, tree hollows, or gaps in siding and rooflines

We often find these nests tucked into hidden spots in Malvern estates, Downingtown backyards, and historic West Chester homes.

⚠️ Why Are They Dangerous?

  • All three species can sting multiple times — they do not lose their stingers
  • Colonies can grow to hundreds or thousands depending on the species
  • Stings are painful and can trigger serious allergic reactions
  • European hornets can chew wood and damage property
  • Bald-faced hornets are especially aggressive near their nests
  • Attacking or disturbing a nest can result in a dangerous swarm

🔍 Signs of Nest Activity

  • Heavy wasp traffic in one area (watch entry/exit points)
  • Visible hanging nests in trees or under soffits
  • Nests in mulch beds or rodent holes in yards
  • Nocturnal activity from large hornet-like insects around lights
  • Buzzing or scratching sounds in walls or ceilings (a common complaint)

🛑 Do NOT Attempt DIY Nest Removal

While it may be tempting to spray or knock down a nest, this often leads to painful stings and aggressive swarming. Yellow jackets and hornets will fiercely defend their territory.

Our professional pest control team at Budget Exterminating Inc. is trained to handle these dangerous nests safely. We serve homeowners throughout Downingtown, Coatesville, West Chester, Malvern, and the surrounding Chester County region — providing expert removal using the safest, most effective methods.

✅ Why Homeowners Trust Budget Exterminating

  • Serving Chester County for over 40 years
  • Family-owned and locally operated
  • Fast, professional service with Home Shield Plus plans available
  • Technicians experienced in stinging insect control across a wide range of property types

📞 Act Fast — Nesting Season is Here

Once these nests are established, they grow fast. Don’t wait until someone gets stung.

If you're in Downingtown, Coatesville, West Chester, Malvern, or anywhere nearby — give Budget Exterminating Inc. a call today.

📲 610-269-8177
🌐 www.budgetexterminate.com
📍 Proudly serving all of Chester County and beyond