Hornets

There are many species of hornets in Canada, but all can be divided into two categories - vespula and dolichovespula. Each have their own characteristics.

Vespula hornets include European, western, and common hornets and build nests in the ground or a similarly concealed site. Dolichovespula hornets include Norwegian, northern aerial, and bald-faced hornets and nest several metres off the ground.

In the outdoors, hornets build nests in shrubberies, below ground, in hollow trees, under bark, and in rock piles. Nests usually house up to 400 hornets.

Around homes, they nest in wall voids, attics, in window frames, or hanging from eaves, gaining entry through cracks in the building foundation, broken window or door screens, and similar openings.

Hornets like to eat fruit juices, honeydew, nectar, and other sweet liquids like soda, but feed their larvae carrion, prepared meat, soft-bodied insects like crickets, grasshoppers, large flies, caterpillars, and even the workers of other wasp and hornet species.