European hornets are large and intimidating. Their stings are painful and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. They are up to 1-1/4 inches long and are often confused for cicada killers. You can identify a European hornet by its red-brown head markings and black-and-yellow rear markings. European hornets have a habit of making their nests near light and in areas where humans leave food. Killing these hornets is not easy; do it only if you are unable to relocate them.
Locate an entire hornet's nest.
Wait until after dark to approach the nest. Put gloves and a bee veil on. Put red cellophane over your flashlight lens.
Carry the hornet killing spray and the flashlight to the nest. Spray the nest from a 15-foot distance, saturating it from top to bottom.
Pull the hornet's nest down the next morning while wearing your gloves and bee veil, and quickly put it into the plastic bucket. When the entire nest is in the bucket, close the lid tight.
Put the bucket in a freezer for 48 hours to assure all the hornets die.
Be quick with your actions. Have someone help you if you can. Always have shelter nearby in order to get away from aggressive European hornets.
This type of hornet gets the most aggressive when protecting its nest, so take every precaution when around a European hornet nest. A European hornet's sting can cause anaphylactic shock and allergic responses in some people. Symptoms may include nausea, hives, swelling and dizziness. Consult a doctor quickly if you suspect an allergic reaction. European hornets tend to sting a person over and over again. Get away fast.
