Hornet ID

Question: I have a bunch of these inside 2 different trees. They are very large. I tried to get a better pic on the ruler but it is curled up.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 08, 2024, 9:46 AM EDT
response: These appear to be European Hornets and Baldfaced Hornets. You can learn about them on our Social Wasps web page. Essentially, nests will not be re-used from one year into the next, and all worker wasps will die out this autumn, by the time it freezes (if not sooner). If the nests can be avoided in the meantime, that's the simplest approach, but if not, they might need to be treated carefully with wasp spray. (Or hire a pest control professional to apply it. Follow all product label directions for use.)  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 08, 2024, 9:52 AM EDT
response: Do these hornets nest in ground? I have seen them going into the ground on another part of my property.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 08, 2024, 10:05 AM EDT
response: No, as noted in the page we linked to, European Hornets nest in above-ground cavities like tree hollows, and Baldfaced Hornets nest out in the open, in a foot-ball sized (or smaller) paper nest hanging from a tree branch. Bumble bees nest in the ground, as do some species of Yellowjacket wasps, which would be smaller and more numerous than bumble bees as their nests are bigger by late summer. If a large wasp is coming and going from burrows in the ground, or flying back and forth over a lawn, they may be Cicada Killer wasps or a type of Scoliid wasp. Despite their intimidating size, those wasps do not bother people and are solitary (don't share a nest), even though several females may create their own burrows in the same yard. They can be ignored and treatment is not necessary or recommended.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 08, 2024, 12:06 PM EDT
response: Do these hornets nest in ground? I have seen them going into the ground on another part of my property.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 09, 2024, 9:56 AM EDT
response: We received a duplicate copy of your question. In case you didn't receive our earlier reply, here is how we responded:  No, as noted in the page we linked to, European Hornets nest in above-ground cavities like tree hollows, and Baldfaced Hornets nest out in the open, in a foot-ball sized (or smaller) paper nest hanging from a tree branch. Bumble bees nest in the ground, as do some species of Yellowjacket wasps, which would be smaller and more numerous than bumble bees as their nests are bigger by late summer. If a large wasp is coming and going from burrows in the ground, or flying back and forth over a lawn, they may be Cicada Killer wasps or a type of Scoliid wasp. Despite their intimidating size, those wasps do not bother people and are solitary (don't share a nest), even though several females may create their own burrows in the same yard. They can be ignored and treatment is not necessary or recommended.  Miri