Bald-Faced Hornets: Nature's Yellowjacket Control

A gardener observed a large wasp patrolling a yellowjacket nest entrance, snatching workers mid-flight and carrying them away. The predator avoided stings and operated with impunity, even while wrestling prey on the ground.

The mystery hunter is a bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata). These beneficial insects hunt other insects—including yellowjackets and caterpillars—to feed their larvae. They rarely bother humans or pets unless their nest is disturbed.

If you spot a gray, football-shaped nest in a tree or under eaves, consider leaving it alone. Bald-faced hornets provide natural pest control and pose little risk when given space.

Image courtesy of Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org