Horntails are actually wasps, but these insects do not bite or sting. They rarely cause structural damage since they do not lay their eggs in construction wood after it is cut and dry. But, if infested wood was used in a home without proper drying and aging, adults might show up as they emerge from the infested wood.Horntails will not infest furniture or re-infest wood inside a home. Still, they are a nuisance to people and may cause alarm to homeowners who think their house is being destroyed by a wood damaging insect.