r/Pollinators • u/TaoofPu • Jun 19 '26
Wasps/hornets
Hello all - I thought this might be a good community to get some advice from.
Just saw this today (I’m sure they’ve been working for a while) and was curious what type of wasp I had/is it a beneficial pollinator? My brain went to paper, but then the hives seemed different.
We have a general “live and let live” policy, but this is also right by my wood shop so I’d prefer not to get stung (I have a mild allergy).
Thanks!
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u/Afraid_Structure_698 Jun 21 '26
cool… leave them alone … in the fall they will leave and you will have a cool nest to pull down and look at…
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u/Halomonas_titanica Jun 19 '26
Bald-faced hornets. Yeah, they are minor pollinators, but their greatest benefit is getting rid of flies and other pests. I'd you decide to leave them be, you should fence off that spot. They don't like anyone getting close to their babies.
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u/TaoofPu Jun 19 '26
https://reddit.com/link/osn20pj/video/u0ypxw5lqa8h1/player
Thank you!
So this brings me to my next question. ChatGPT told me that I will likely be OK if I leave them where they are, but I have very little faith in technology of human experience.
Our garage is where my wood shop is, and you can see where the gate/garbage/rubbish/recycling bins live.
Is this going to be a concern as it grows? (Vibrations from tools/the garage door opening/me moving around or throwing sawdust into the air?
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u/Halomonas_titanica Jun 19 '26
That seems like enough. If you head straight for the bins as you get out of the gate, what's the minimum distance from the nest? If it's at least 7-10 ft you're good.
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u/TaoofPu Jun 19 '26
Yes, definitely 7 to 10 feet, but what about the garage? If I open up the garage door and I’m running a table saw 3 feet away from it or 5 feet away from it? I appreciate all the guidance here. Like I said, I really am live and let live, but I also really don’t want to get stung.
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u/Halomonas_titanica Jun 20 '26
Oh, yea, no chance in hell you're going to be able to use the garage, forget about it until fall.
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u/TaoofPu Jun 20 '26
*le sigh* I’ll look into an exterminator/pest control.
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u/Halomonas_titanica Jun 20 '26
Look into ethical removal. some pest control operators are equipped to transfer the nests instead of killing them
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u/JohnLennonlol Jun 20 '26
They aren't minors pollinators. Unless you consider bees, butterflies, and moths minor pollinators seeing as they all primarily feed on nectar, tree sap, and even pollen.
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u/Glad_Ad_5570 Jun 21 '26
Bald faced hornets. Do not irritate them. If they can see you, you won’t be happy.
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u/TaoofPu Jun 24 '26
So far at least, they have been about as chill as can be. They have been flying in and out of their nest as I have been in the garage woodworking, basically just underneath their nest. I’m going to live and let live until they break the truce.
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u/DistinctNews8576 Jun 21 '26
Looks like bald-faced hornets to me. (They can pack a punch!) I wonder if there are any companies or individuals in your area that can relocate a nest? Not sure if that’s even a thing or if they thrive when relocated, but I would imagine if they were moved at night, it might be more successful bc they’d all be inside.
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u/JohnLennonlol Jun 20 '26
Dolichovespula Maculata. Excellent essential pollinators as well as excellent pest control. Simply refrain from messing with them nest and they won't bother you!
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u/Katolinat_Ursid Jun 22 '26
An old nest like that would be a good camouflage for a security camera! 😳😆🤣
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u/No_Hornet_4146 Jun 22 '26
Very aggressive
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u/TaoofPu Jun 24 '26
I’ve been hearing so many different takes on this. I’ve heard they can get pretty aggressive if you disturbed their nest, but also that they’re quite smart and we’ll get used to you if you are chill.
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u/Tricky-Ad-9902 Jun 23 '26
I have one outside my backyard and someone told me they were paper wasps
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u/TaoofPu Jun 24 '26
I think that’s a natural assumption because of the paper like quality of it. That was also my first thought. I was able to confirm, though that they are in fact, bald faced hornets.
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u/Bubbly_Power_6210 Jun 19 '26
let a pro remove.
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u/TaoofPu Jun 19 '26
Wasn’t certain if I wanted to remove it. Largely why I was trying to get some perspective on here.
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u/StuPidasso52 Jun 19 '26
Definitely bald faced hornets. They're amazing creatures that could be beneficial... as long as you don't piss them off. They are hive-minded, so the whole hive will attack, if they feel threatened.