Blog · Stinging Insects · Algonquin, Illinois
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/AfI40fDFSkM
As leaves fall across Algonquin, homeowners sometimes discover a large, gray, papery nest that was hidden in a tree or shrub all summer. Finding it late in the season raises an important question: are there still hornets inside?
The time of year alone does not answer that question.
I recently removed a bald-faced hornet nest in Algonquin. In the accompanying video, I open the removed nest to show its internal structure and discuss an important precaution: workers may still be active, depending on the weather, and disturbing an occupied nest can result in stings.
Why a late-season nest still deserves caution
Cooler weather brings the colony toward the end of its seasonal life cycle, but “it’s fall” is not a reliable safety check. Conditions vary, and workers may remain active before freezing weather ends the colony.
Bald-faced hornets defend their nests and can sting repeatedly. A nest that looks quiet should not be handled on the assumption that it is empty.
Keep children and pets away, and avoid shaking the branch, striking the nest, or cutting it down to check for activity. Have its condition assessed before disturbing it.
What happens to the colony in winter?
Bald-faced hornet colonies are annual. Freezing fall weather ends the old colony, while newly mated queens shelter elsewhere through winter and start new colonies in spring.
The old nest is not normally reused the following year. Removing an abandoned nest therefore does not guarantee that another queen will never build a new nest nearby.
A look inside the Algonquin nest
The video shows the nest after removal, including its papery outer covering and the comb structure within.
These nests are built from wood fibers mixed with saliva. What looks like a single gray shell from the ground contains a carefully constructed interior where the colony raised its young.
The video is an educational look inside a removed nest. It should not be taken as confirmation that another nest is safe to handle.
Why professional nest assessment matters
A nest that appears quiet may still contain active hornets. A licensed pest control operator can identify the insect, assess nest activity and access, and recommend appropriate treatment or removal based on the conditions. Avoid disturbing the nest yourself.
A nest near a doorway, walkway, patio, play area, or other frequently used space deserves closer attention. Its location, current activity, and potential for contact with people should guide the decision.
Professional nest assessment in Algonquin
I am a structural pest control technician certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health. My approach begins with identifying the insect, assessing nest activity, and considering the conditions at the property.
If you have discovered a suspected bald-faced hornet nest in Algonquin, contact Christopher Pest Management through deadbugsnow.com to discuss an assessment.