How To Get Rid Of Ground Hornets: 15 Effective Ways

Ground hornets should be left alone until they constitute a hazard. Read to know How To Get Rid Of Ground Hornets.

Getting rid of ground hornets means making sure they don’t come back.

Learning how to get rid of ground hornets isn’t as simple as just getting rid of them once with heavy pest control chemicals.

You have to make sure you get to the root of the problem. If you were wondering, what kills ground hornets, you’ve come to the right place. 

What are Ground Hornets?

Ground hornet bugs are incredibly annoying to deal with.

They kill plants, stunt their growth, and ultimately destroy their leaves. Moreover, they can also sting you or your pests if you are not careful around them.

You might think that hornets create papery nests that hang from trees, but the truth is that most hornets live underground.

This makes them trickier to locate. If you find a flurry of activity around your plants but cannot find any nest, you can safely suspect that hornets are wreaking havoc around your garden. 

Ground hornets do not have nests hanging from leaves, so if you find a hidden nest while mowing your garden, it is time to take action.

These pests commonly conceal their nests in rotting wood, shrubs, burrows, and other spaces that cannot be seen.

How to Look for Ground Hornets

You can easily get rid of ground hornets as long as you manage to locate them in the first place.

The first step is to find nesting sites so that you can figure out the kind of hornets that are destroying your yard.

Commonly known as cicada killers, ground hornets are the biggest species of ground wasps. These insects can grow two inches long.

Their bodies are yellow and black, making them very similar to yellow jackets, but ground hornets tend to isolate themselves more.

If you are suspicious of hornet activity, here are some things to steps to follow that will help you locate them:

• Carefully check sunny locations close to shady trees and inspect dry pieces of soil. Hornets detest wetness, which is why they are usually found on dry earth.
• Inspect your entire yard on a sunny day. Hornets can easily be spotted when they travel in and out of their nests.
• Are there small holes in the soil? You are probably dealing with a hornet infestation.
• Look for nests in trees, shrubs, and wall voids. Closely notice any movement in these areas.
• In addition to rodent burrows, ground hornets have been found to construct nests in decaying tree stumps and cavities in walls and ceilings. 
• Most of the time, these nests are located in inhospitable places and cannot be removed. 
• Ground hornets should be left alone until they constitute a hazard, at which point they should be captured or poisoned.

How to Get Rid of Ground Hornets

1. Soapy Water

One of the easiest ways to get rid of ground hornets is by making a mixture of soapy water.

Since soap acts as a surfactant, it can seep into the bodies of hornets, making them drown.

The best part about this mixture is that it kills ground hornets without leaving any residue on the plants.

To make this mixture, you need the following:

• Dish soap
• Hot water: 1 gallon
• Protective clothes

Step 1

Take a large bucket and pour 1 gallon of water into it. Then, mix dish soap into the bucket.

Step 2

Wear protective clothes, including thick pants, gloves, a top with long sleeves, and a hat before you approach the hornet’s nest.

Step 3

Pour the mixture on top of the hornet nest and go back inside your house as soon as you can.

Step 4

Keep a close eye on the nest for the foreseeable future. If the hornets still remain, add some vinegar and remake the mixture. Ground hornets cannot stand the smell of vinegar.

2. Set Out Traps

Commercial insect killers can be extremely expensive when it comes to getting rid of ground hornets.

The best way to kill these pests is by making a hornet trap at home. These traps are great for luring out the hornets and stopping them from escaping.

Here is what you will need to make a hornet trap:

Step 1

Cut the plastic bottle in two with the help of the knife. Make sure that the knife is sharp enough to cut through the plastic.

Step 2

Use fruit, soda, juice, or meat as bait. We recommend using meat as bait in the summer months and sweets as bait when the weather gets cooler.

Step 3

Flip over the top part of the bottle and put it inside the other part to create a funnel.

Step 4

Put the trap near the hornet’s nest and allow it to do its job. Ground hornets will find their way to the hole of the bottle in search of a treat.

They will feast on it but soon will realize that they are stuck and cannot find a way out. Eventually, these insects will die inside the bottle.

3. Insecticide Dust

It is easy for ground hornets to go unnoticed, and usually, when homeowners find a nasty infestation taking over their yard, the hornets have multiplied in number.

However, insecticidal dust is an efficient and quick way to kill hornets, but if you have children or pets, we recommend being careful.

What you need to make insecticidal dust:

• Insecticidal dust
• Protective clothing

Since ground hornets live deep inside the ground, insecticidal dust is effective at putting a stop to the infestation.

Many varieties of insecticidal dust contain chlorpyrifos and carbaryl that may get rid of good insects like honeybees as well. Hence, use insecticidal dust sparingly.

When working on getting rid of ground hornets, remember to wear protective clothing. Read the label of the dust carefully and follow instructions closely.

After putting the insecticide on the infected spots, wait for a couple of hours. Since this dust is extremely effective, you should find no living hornet left behind.

4. Lemon Ammonia For Getting Rid Of Ground Hornets

Lemon ammonia is a cheaper way to get rid of ground hornets.

The best part about this is that it is non-toxic and easy to use as long as it is not mixed with other harmful liquids like bleach.

Here is what you will need to make lemon ammonia:

• Plastic knife
• Flashlight
• Measuring cup
• Lemon ammonia

Usually, hornets are active during the day, so this is an excellent method to try when they return to their nests in the evening.

However, don’t underestimate ground hornets- they are just as capable of attacking you at night. Hence, it is important to wear protective clothing.

Step 1

Put a plastic knife in the nest’s opening so that you can easily locate it as it starts to get dark.

Step 2

Put the lemon ammonia in a jug and carry it with you. Grab a measuring cup and approach the nest.

Step 3

If you cannot find the hole, use your flashlight.

Step 4

Quickly pour three cups of ammonia on the entrance of the nest.

Step 5

Allow the knife to be left in place and quickly return indoors.

• Ammonia is a low-cost solution for warding off bees in the earth and other targeted places, and it can be found in almost any retail establishment. 
• As long as it is not combined with other liquids like bleach, this non-toxic substance is safe and simple to use.
• Since hornets tend to be nocturnal, this task is best accomplished after dark. 
• Wearing protective gear and concealing a plastic knife next to the nest’s entrance will make it easier to access as night falls.
• Find the opening (with a flashlight, if necessary) and swiftly pour a few cups of ammonia inside. Don’t bother picking it up, and get out of there fast.

5. Techniques for Using Plants to Ward Off Ground-Dwelling Hornets

Another natural way to get rid of ground hornets is by growing hornet-repellent plants.

Not only will these plants boost the aesthetic of your home, but they will also get rid of these annoying insects forever.

• If you want to start getting rid of ground hornets, it is better to prevent them from settling
• After the hornet issue has been dealt with, plants may be used to prevent further infestations effectively. 
• Plant spices and wildflowers around the border to deter pests from entering your backyard, lawn, or other trouble areas.

Here are some plants that get rid of ground hornets:

• Pennyroyal
• Marigolds
• Thyme
• Spearmint
• Wormwood
• Lemongrass

If you are looking to get rid of your hornet problem permanently, plants are the way to go. Plant these herbs around your entire garden, yard, and other infected areas to naturally draw out hornets and kill them.

Keep in mind that some plants attract ground hornets as well. These include:

• Sweet fennel
• Yarrow
• Queen Anne’s Lace

6. Close the Nest

If you know where the hornet’s nest is and want to get rid of them as quickly as possible, there is no better way than closing the nest completely and sealing the entrance.

The best part is that you do not need to use any chemicals at all.

Here is what you will need to close the hornet’s nest:

• Bricks
• Ground soil
• Protective clothing

Step 1

During the day, locate where the hornet’s nest is and mark it, so that it is easy to identify at night.

Step 2

Wait till it gets dark so that you can ensure that all the hornets are back from their morning adventures.

Step 3

Put on protective clothing.

Step 4

Put dirt in the nest as fast as you can.

Step 5

Put a big lock or brick and seal the nest. This will ensure that the soil stays in place.

7. Effectiveness Of Herbs In Getting Rid Of Ground Hornets

• Learn how to get rid of ground hornets by preventing the spread of ground hornets by preventing them from reproducing.
• If you have located a nest and want to eliminate them as quickly as possible without pesticides, you may want to try sealing off the entrance to the nest.
• This method is effective in warding off carpenter bees as well. This issue may be fixed by filling the gaps in the timber with putty.
• Put on protective gear and cover the hole as soon as possible to avoid being stung by a ground bee. 
• Cover the opening with a brick, boulder, or heavy item to keep the dirt in place. 

8. Using Essential Oils To Get Rid Of Them

• You may be surprised to learn that the most killing ground hornets are in locations with a certain aroma because they find it offensive. 
• A simple smell spray made from essential oils may be used to repel hornets naturally.
• A glass container sprayer should be flooded with water with five sprays of each oil. For your protection, shake the bottle well and attach a label.
• Spray the liquid in the parts of something like the yard where hornets have been seen to discourage further visits. 
• You may force the insects to search for a new location by pouring the liquid into the nest’s entrance if you know exactly where it is.

9. Other Bait Kits

Learn how to get rid of ground hornets using store-bought chemicals if you don’t have time to construct a DIY bee killer.

• Hornets are carnivores that will devour everything from helpful insects to the hamburger you brought to the picnic. 
• Kits for luring away hornets are widely available, and some don’t even include poison.
• This strategy is effective from spring until late summer when hornets are at their most hungry.
• Be sure to use the trap according to the directions on the bait package and safeguard yourself appropriately before beginning. 
• Prepare the bait station using the flesh of your choosing and the proper quantity of pesticide.
• Put out the poisoned meat and watch the hornets devour it.

10. Home Traps for Eliminating Ground [Dwelling Wasps and Hornets]

To get rid of annoying insects, you don’t need to use pricey commercial treatments to get rid of annoying insects. 

Building a trap is one of our go-to methods for eliminating these pests from our house. Bees can’t escape these ingenious traps because of the appealing scents and practical design.

• Cut polypropylene in three different bottles in half using a sharp knife. Put meat or tasty bait like juice, coke, or berries into the trap’s base.
• Some traps are seasonal, and others are not. Use meat as bait to catch hornets during the warmer months. To eliminate them in the fall and winter, use a sweet drink.
• Convert the bottle’s top into a funnel by inserting it into its bottom. Place the wasp trap in the area of the nest and walk away.
• Hornets are attracted to the sweet nectar inside the bottle, so they fly in to get some. After consuming all of the food, the hornets get disoriented and perish. 

Reducing the Number of Ground Hornets in Your Yard

• The first step in making the patio a haven where you and your loved ones to enjoy is getting rid of the hornets that have taken up residence there using a pesticide or a DIY treatment. 
• We must now take precautions to ensure they will not return.
• Because many species of hornets will exploit preexisting rat burrows as nesting sites, it is important to plug any such openings as soon as they are discovered. Bees love to make a home in rotting wood and other ugly spots, so remove them from your yard whenever possible.
• Keep your grass somewhat damp by watering it regularly; hornets prefer constructing in dry soil. Hornets like to nest on bare soil, so it’s best to avoid having any patches in your lawn or garden.
• Bees are attracted to the smell of decaying food and sugary treats. Always close your trash cans and store any leftovers immediately to avoid any odors or flies during your barbeque.
• Avoiding being stung by a hornet or a wasp is a top priority since their unpleasant stinger may cause serious allergic reactions. 
• Therefore, taking safe and effective steps to avoid an infestation by stinging bees is crucial.

How To Get Rid Of Ground Hornets FAQs

Final Thought

Overall, hornets from their ground nests require some background knowledge. Do you think they’re hornets or some other kind of stinging insect?

When and where do they build their hive, and what does it look like?

There are simple explanations for several often-asked questions. But if you follow this guide, learning to get rid of wasps in the ground will be a breeze.

If you notice a ground hornet infestation, the best thing is to use any of the above-listed methods to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Always remember to wear protective clothing when dealing with hornets so that you do not end up with an allergic reaction. Moreover, keep your pets inside the house when dealing with these insects.

Olivia

My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.