Bald-faced hornets are native to Washington State and are one of the most commonly encountered large stinging insects in the region. They’re not true hornets but rather a species of yellowjacket (Dolichovespula maculata) that earned the “hornet” label because of their size and large aerial nests. If you’ve spotted a black-and-white wasp or a gray papery nest hanging from a tree on your property, this is almost certainly what you’re dealing with.
How to Identify Bald-Faced Hornets
Bald-faced hornets are about an inch long, mostly black with white stripes and spots. Their most distinctive feature is the large white patches on their face, which is where the “bald-faced” name comes from. Workers have additional white markings on their abdomen. They’re noticeably larger than common yellowjackets but significantly smaller than the northern giant hornet, which gets up to two inches long and has an orange head with black-and-orange striping. The Washington State Department of Agriculture maintains an identification page specifically to help residents tell these species apart, since the arrival of northern giant hornets in the state raised public concern about any large wasp sighting.
Their Nests Are Hard to Miss
Bald-faced hornets build the large, gray, papery nests you sometimes see hanging from trees, shrubs, or the eaves of buildings. These nests can grow to 14 inches in diameter and over 23 inches long, roughly the size and shape of a football or pear. Inside, multiple layers of hexagonal combs house the colony, all wrapped in a mottled gray paper envelope.
The “paper” itself is made from chewed plant fibers. Workers scrape bits of rotten wood, dead plants, or even cardboard and newspaper, mix the fibers with saliva to create a pulp, and then form it into the layered walls of the nest. Nests are often built high in trees where they go completely unnoticed until leaves drop in the fall. They also show up on window frames, under eaves, and in attics.
Seasonal Timeline in Washington
A single fertilized queen starts each colony. She overwinters in a sheltered spot, such as under bark, in a log, or inside a wall void, then emerges in spring as temperatures warm. In western Washington, this typically happens in April or May. She builds a small starter nest on her own, lays her first batch of eggs, and raises the initial group of workers herself.
Once those first workers mature, they take over nest construction and foraging while the queen focuses on laying eggs. The colony grows steadily through summer, and by late summer a nest can contain several hundred workers. In the final phase, the queen lays eggs that develop into new queens and male drones. These mate in fall, and once temperatures drop, the entire colony dies except for the newly fertilized queens, who disperse to find sheltered overwintering spots. The old nest is never reused.
They’re Actually Beneficial
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive predators of other insects, and that’s mostly a good thing. Through spring and summer, workers hunt live prey to feed developing larvae. Their diet includes flies, caterpillars, and notably other yellowjackets. Some nests accumulate so many yellowjacket remains that the inside takes on a yellowish cast. Later in the season, as fewer larvae need feeding, workers shift toward nectar and other sugary foods, which means they also contribute to pollination.
For Washington gardeners dealing with pest insects or aggressive ground-nesting yellowjackets, a bald-faced hornet nest in a distant corner of the yard can actually reduce those problems. The tradeoff, of course, is that bald-faced hornets themselves can be aggressive near their nest.
Sting Risks and Reactions
Bald-faced hornets can sting multiple times, unlike honeybees, and they will defend their nest aggressively if they perceive a threat. A typical sting causes instant sharp burning pain, a red welt, slight swelling, and itching. For most people, these symptoms resolve within a few hours, though they can linger for a day or two. A moderate reaction involves more pronounced redness and swelling that gradually enlarges over one to two days, then resolves over five to ten days.
Allergic reactions are the real concern. A non-life-threatening allergic response can include hives, swelling away from the sting site, headache, minor breathing symptoms, and stomach upset. Anaphylaxis, the severe form, usually develops within minutes and involves difficulty breathing, wheezing, facial or throat swelling, a weak rapid pulse, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. This is a medical emergency.
Multiple stings carry their own danger even in non-allergic individuals. More than a dozen stings can cause a toxic reaction from the accumulated venom, leading to nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, fever, or even seizures. This risk is higher for children, older adults, and anyone with heart or respiratory conditions. Stings also carry a small risk of tetanus for anyone who isn’t up to date on their vaccination.
When and How to Remove a Nest
If a nest is high in a tree, well away from foot traffic and outdoor living spaces, the simplest approach is to leave it alone. The colony will die off naturally with the first hard frosts, and the hornets are doing useful pest control work in the meantime.
Nests near doorways, play areas, or anywhere people regularly pass are a different story. Removal is safest done at night, when workers are inside and less active. You’ll need a full bee suit with veil and gloves. The standard approach is to apply an aerosol wasp insecticide directly into the nest entrance hole, wait for activity to stop, then bag and remove the entire nest. Place the bagged nest in a dumpster away from people.
For nests that are high up, difficult to reach, or near areas where a missed attempt could put people at risk, hiring a licensed pest control professional is the practical choice. Disturbing a nest without fully eliminating it tends to provoke the colony, making the situation more dangerous than before you started.
Not the Same as Northern Giant Hornets
Washington State gained national attention when northern giant hornets (sometimes called “murder hornets”) were detected in the northwest corner of the state. The two species look nothing alike once you know what to look for. Northern giant hornets are the world’s largest hornet at 1.5 to 2 inches long, with a large orange head, prominent eyes, and a black-and-orange striped abdomen. They nest in the ground or in tree cavities, not in aerial paper nests. Bald-faced hornets are smaller, black and white, and build the familiar hanging gray nests. If you’re unsure about an identification in Washington, the state Department of Agriculture’s online identification guide includes photos of both species side by side.