Asian Giant Hornet Control

Most Effective Products

D-Fense Dust Insecticide
Dust
As low as $11.54
Sylo Insecticide
Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)
As low as $59.99
Keith's Pro Tips

"If you are wearing a beekeeper suit, you may still not be totally safe from an Asian Giant Hornet's sting. Their stinger is big enough to pierce through a beekeeper suit so be extra careful to not get to close to the hornet or disturb it because it won't hesitate to go on the attack."

All You Need To Know About Asian Giant "Murder" Hornets

An insect that has been gaining notoriety recently on social media is a large-sized wasp dubbed online as the "murder hornet". The proper name for this wasp is actually the Asian Giant Hornet, also referred to as the Japanese Giant Hornet, the largest discovered hornet species in the world.

The Asian Giant Hornet is native to East Asia and raised some alarms when 2 of them were spotted in North America in late 2019. At 2 inches long, the Asian Giant Hornet can be startling to see up close with it's distinct orange and black markings and long stinger.

While people appear to be worried about getting stung by this insect, since it is known to deliver one of the most painful stings in the insect world, the main worry of the Asian Giant Hornet is it's threat to the honeybee population.

On this page, we will clear the air in regards to the Asian Giant Hornet and cover how to identify the wasp, what to do if you discover the "murder hornet" on your property and the steps you should follow to keep hornets, including the Asian Giant Hornet, away.

Identification

Asian Giant Hornet on Tree

Before proceeding with treatment, you will need to be certain the wasp species infesting your yard is a Asian Giant Hornet. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong pesticides, which can be a waste of your time and finances. Listed below are some key traits to know what Asian Giant Hornets look like:

  • Hornets are social wasps of the genus Vespa. This includes Asian Giant Hornets and the European Hornet, which is much more common in North America, especially the Eastern United States.
  • The Asian Giant Hornet and the European Hornet are both considered "true hornets." The two hornets look extremely similar and are often confused for one another. However, with their relatively new introduction to North America and their currently limited spread, Asian Giant Hornets are unlikely to be spotted outside the Pacific Northwest.

So if you live in a different region of the U.S. and are seeing a giant hornet in your yard or around your home, then it is likely a European Hornet or another wasp, like a Cicada Killer. Still, it is important to know what the Asian Giant Hornet looks like so that you can spot the difference between it and other lookalike wasps and hornets.

Asian Giant Hornet VS European Hornet

Asian Giant Hornet VS European Hornet

While the Asian Giant Hornet and the European Hornet are very similar, there are some traits you can look for, such as their size and coloration:

Asian Giant Hornet (left)

  • Adult Asian Giant Hornets are large, growing up to 2 inches long
  • They have a wing span of up to 3 inches
  • They have yellow and dark brown stripes along their abdomens
  • Their thorax will be dark brown in color
  • The entirety of their heads will be a vibrant yellow-orange -- a distinguishing feature
  • They have large mandibles (mouth parts)

European Hornet (right)

  • European Hornets will grow up to 1.5 inches in length
  • They have dark-brown to black and yellow striped along their abdomen, but thick black bands will give way to thick yellow bands as they move down the abdomen toward the stinger
  • They will have a reddish-brown thorax
  • Their faces will have trace color from their thorax and become a lighter yellow-orange toward the face
  • Their eyes are bigger than an Asian Giant Hornet's

Asian Giant Hornets are the biggest threat to pollinating honeybees which are crucial to the ecosystem. They target honeybees by entering the hive and decapitating their heads. These hornets can destroy an entire beehive in a matter of hours. Like other hornets, they will also feed on other proteins, like trash, decaying organic matter, and other insects.

Inspection

Hollow Tree Stump

Along with being able to identify the Asian Giant Hornet and other wasps, you need to know where and what to look for.

Where To Inspect

Asian Giant Hornets prefer to live in forest areas and woods but when searching for food, they will travel far and wide for honeybees and other protein. Unlike some other hornets and wasps that will build nests in trees or along house and building eaves, these hornets build nests underground or low spaces. They will typically take advantage of rotting tree roots, hollow tree trunks, and abandoned rodent and snake burrows to build their nests.

The European Hornet will build papery nests are typically more elevated and away from human activity, such as in hollows in the bodies of trees. However, they can sometimes be found in attics and crawl spaces.

What To Look For

Look for the large-sized Asian Giant Hornets themselves, which are large-sized black and orange wasps. If you find one, follow it closely and they may lead you to where their nest is if it's established close by.

It is important to remember that if you suspect you may be seeing Asian Giant Hornet activity, do not approach them any further. Due to their recent introduction to the United States, it is recommended that you do not attack or attempt to kill these insects on your own. Instead, contact your state's Department of Agriculture to report your sighting.

Treatment

Spraying Weephole with Sylo

Since it is not recommended that you directly control the Asian Giant Hornet, you will want to instead treat your property to prevent wasp and hornet activity. There are simple steps you can take to ensure that hornets are kept away.

What you can do is try to indirectly ward off the pest from embarking upon your property with broadcast applications of Sylo Insecticide and D-Fense Dust.

These can repel hornets from the area and can significantly reduce the insect population, so they won't have any pests to prey on. If there is no prey, they won't stick around.

Remember to first read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

Step 1 - Apply Sylo Insecticide

Spraying Eave of House

Sylo Insecticide is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that contains the active ingredient Cypermethrin, and serves as a good contact insecticide that will effectively kill or repel insects that hornets preys on and will prevent hornets from establishing nests on your property.

First, measure the square footage of your lawn to determine how much Sylo you will need. Yo will apply Sylo at a 0.1% emulsion. You can do this easily by mixing 0.5 fluid ounces of Sylo with 1 gallon of water. This will typically treat 1,000 square feet. We recommend using a 1 gallon hand pump sprayer to make applications precise and easy.

To mix Sylo, first fill your sprayer halfway with water. Add 0.5 fl .oz. of Sylo, and then fill the sprayer the rest of the way with water to the 1 gallon line. Close the sprayer and shake to ensure an even emulsion.

Apply the solution as a barrier treatment around your home and other structures. Create the barrier by spraying 3 feet up the wall and at least 6 feet out on the ground. Also treat eaves and common entry points around the home or structure, such as around windows, doors, utility openings, weep holes, and any other voids.

You can also make localized spot treatments around the yard where other pest activity is seen. Also apply your solution to non-food bearing trees since the Asian Giant Hornets also enjoy tree sap.

Step 2 - Treat Voids with D-Fense Dust

Dusting Weep Holes for Asian Giant Hornets

D-Fense Dust is a water-resistant deltamethrin dust that can successfully control a wide range of insects that an Asian Giant Hornet may consider to be a worthy meal. Apply the dust in holes and voids around the home to discourage hornets from landing and exploring such areas.

It is best to use a handheld pesticide duster to treat these holes and nest areas for precision and accuracy of getting the dust where you need it to go. Add D-Fense Dust to a duster at a rate of 2 to 3 grams per square yard or 0.5 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. Lightly squeeze the duster to puff dust directly to voids around the property, such as weep holes or cracks and crevices along eaves.

Prevention

Sealed Trash Cans

You can prevent hornets from establishing themselves on your property by performing common Integrated Pest Management Strategies (IPM) to remove conducive conditions.

  • Trim back tree branches and shrubbery to reduce the amount of cover nests can have.
  • Pick up yard debris. Ground hornets, like the Asian Giant Hornet, can use wood or piled debris as nesting sites.
  • Address food and water sources outside. Keep trash cans away from the home and ensure that the lid closes tightly.
  • Seal or repair any opening to the home or structure. Cracks and crevices can be sealed with caulk, but damaged screens and weather stripping around doors will need to be replaced or patched.
  • Perform repeat applications of Sylo and D-Fense Dust every 90 days for continued control.

Response To Finding An Asian Giant Hornet

Remember, if you happen to find an Asian Giant Hornet on your property, it is best that you alert your local department of agriculture and report the sighting. They are actively working to try to keep the Asian Giant Hornets from establishing in the country and harming the honeybee population, so you should do what you can to assist them.

Key Takeaways

What Are Asian Giant Hornets?

  • Asian Giant Hornets are also popularly known as "Murder Hornets" and is the largest species of Hornet found in the world. Native to Asia, the hornet has recently been spotted in the US.
  • Asian Giant Hornets are a major threat to the honeybee population. They are also known for their painful sting which can be potentially fatal.

How to Get Rid of Asian Giant Hornets

  • If you spot an Asian Giant Hornet, call your local Department of Agriculture to report the sighting. Otherwise, you can use Sylo Insecticide and D-Fense Dust to control this pest. 

Preventing Asian Giant Hornet Reinfestation

  • You can discourage Asian Giant Hornets from being on your property with preventative treatments of Sylo Insecticide and D-Fense Dust.
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