Bald faced hornets are common across southern Canada and the United States. Primarily carnivorous and hunting other arthropods, they favor flies which adds some value to their presence. Though related to yellow jackets, bald faced hornets are usually slightly larger and more black and white rather than yellow in color.
Bald faced hornets are a significant nuisance due to their protective behavior near their nests, attacking and stinging perceived intruders. Unique among stinging insects, bald faced hornets can spray venom at intruders in addition to stinging, usually targeting eyes. For these reasons, extreme caution is warranted when dealing with these insects, and for larger nests it is often best to obtain professional assistance for their removal.
