Posted July 25, 2026

If you've spotted a large, grey, paper-like nest hanging from your eaves, a tree branch, a shed, or even a trampoline frame, you're most likely dealing with a bald-faced hornet nest. These nests can grow to the size of a basketball (or bigger) by late summer, and they're one of the more intimidating pest problems Connecticut homeowners run into during warmer months.

Here's what you need to know about identifying these nests, why they show up where they do, and why DIY removal is rarely a good idea.

 What Is a Bald-Faced Hornet?

Despite the name, bald-faced hornets aren't true hornets — they're actually a type of yellow jacket, closely related to the wasps most people are familiar with. They get their common name from the white/pale markings on their face and body, which stand out against their otherwise black coloring.

What makes bald-faced hornets stand out from ground-nesting yellow jackets is where — and how — they build. Instead of nesting underground, bald-faced hornets construct large aerial nests using chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva. Layer by layer, this creates a papery, football- or teardrop-shaped nest with an internal structure of stacked combs, similar to a hive.

Why These Nests Show Up Where They Do

Bald-faced hornets look for elevated, semi-sheltered spots to build — which is exactly why homeowners tend to find nests in places like:

- Tree branches and shrubs

- Eaves, gutters, and roof overhangs

- Sheds and detached garages

- Swing sets, decks, and trampoline frames

That last one catches a lot of families off guard. A trampoline frame provides shade, structure, and shelter — ideal nesting conditions from a hornet's perspective, and a dangerous surprise from a homeowner's.

How Big Can a Nest Get?

A bald-faced hornet colony starts small in spring, built by a single queen. By mid-to-late summer, though, a mature nest can house hundreds of workers, all actively defending the colony. The nest itself keeps growing throughout the season as more workers are added to expand and reinforce it.

This is why nest size alone is a good clue for urgency — a softball-sized nest in June can become a football-sized nest by August, with a matching increase in the number of hornets defending it.

Are Bald-Faced Hornets Dangerous?

Bald-faced hornets are considered more aggressive than many other stinging insects, especially when their nest is disturbed. Unlike honeybees, they don't lose their stinger after use, meaning a single hornet can sting multiple times. They're also known to defend their nest as a coordinated group, which is what makes accidental disturbance — bumping a trampoline, trimming a hedge, or mowing too close to a nest — genuinely risky.

For most people, and especially for anyone with a known allergy to stinging insects, professional removal is the safer route.

Why DIY Removal Usually Backfires

It's tempting to grab a can of wasp spray and handle it yourself, but here's the problem: aerosol sprays typically only kill the hornets they directly contact. The rest of the colony — often numbering in the hundreds by late summer — gets agitated instead of eliminated. That's when people get stung, sometimes multiple times, trying to retreat.

Nest removal is also trickier than it looks. A dislodged or partially treated nest can leave surviving hornets aggressively searching for the source of the disturbance, which is a bigger risk than the original nest sitting undisturbed.

Professional Bald-Faced Hornet Removal

At Expello Pest Control, we handle bald-faced hornet nest removal safely and completely — treating the nest at the source, removing it when appropriate, and making sure the area is safe for your family, pets, and guests to use again.

If you've spotted a nest anywhere on your property — a trampoline, a shed, an eave, or a tree — don't wait for it to get bigger. These colonies grow fast, and the safest time to deal with one is before it reaches full size.

See a nest on your property?

Give Expello Pest Control a call for a free estimate. We serve North Haven, CT and the surrounding New Haven County Area.