Why Hornets Are Treated Differently
Hornets are the largest and most defensive stinging insects we deal with on Long Island. A bald-faced hornet nest — often the size of a basketball or bigger, built high in a tree or under an eave — can hold several hundred workers that will defend it aggressively if disturbed. Unlike a wasp nest, there's usually no safe way to approach a hornet nest without full protective gear and a deliberate treatment plan.
MeriPro Solutions does not offer live relocation for hornets the way we do for honeybees. Given how aggressively they defend a nest and the real sting risk to anyone nearby, extermination is the safe and correct approach in nearly every case.
Hornet Species We Handle
Bald-Faced Hornets
Build large, enclosed grey paper nests, typically high in trees or under roof eaves. Extremely defensive of the nest — often the species behind multi-sting incidents.
European Hornets
Larger than native species, active at night as well as during the day, and known to nest inside hollow trees or wall voids. Their size alone causes most calls we get.
Signs of a Hornet Nest
- A large enclosed paper nest — grey, egg- or teardrop-shaped, usually 12–24 inches or bigger, in a tree, on a structure, or under an eave.
- Aggressive swarming near a specific spot — hornets defending airspace around the nest, sometimes charging at anyone who gets too close.
- Nighttime activity — European hornets are active after dark, so activity near porch lights or windows at night can be a sign of a nearby nest.
- Unusually large flying insects — hornets are noticeably bigger than wasps and yellow jackets, often the first thing homeowners notice.
If you find a hornet nest, keep distance and avoid mowing, trimming, or working near it. Call MeriPro Solutions before attempting to deal with it yourself.
Our Hornet Extermination Process
1. Safe Assessment
We locate the nest from a safe distance and confirm the species before any treatment begins, since bald-faced and European hornets are handled slightly differently.
2. Full Protective Gear
Hornet jobs are done in full protective suits designed for high-defense stinging insects, not standard pest control gear.
3. Precision Treatment
Treatment is applied directly to the nest using equipment that allows safe distance, minimizing exposure for both the technician and anyone nearby.
4. Nest Removal
Once activity has fully stopped, we remove the physical nest so it doesn't attract scavengers or get mistaken for an active colony later.
Serving All of Long Island
MeriPro Solutions responds to hornet extermination calls throughout Nassau and Suffolk County from our Melville base, typically within 2 hours for active situations.
Common Questions
Are hornets more dangerous than wasps?
Generally, yes — hornets are larger, more defensive of the nest, and deliver a more painful sting. A disturbed hornet nest can produce a coordinated group response faster than most wasp species.
Can I just knock the nest down myself?
Strongly discouraged. A knocked-down but not fully exterminated hornet nest often results in a swarm response, and re-locating the colony afterward becomes much harder. Call (516) 725-0672 instead.
How high up do hornet nests usually get?
Bald-faced hornet nests are often built 10-30 feet up in trees, which is part of why professional equipment matters — ladders and DIY sprays aren't built for that kind of reach or nest size.
Related Services
Hornet Nest on Your Property?
Don't approach it yourself. MeriPro Solutions handles hornet extermination safely, 24/7, across Long Island.