How to Kill Hornet Insects

Hornets often build nests around human habitations, including houses, playgrounds and schools. Nests that can pose a hazard to people and animals because hornets can inflict a great deal of pain with their stings. Hornets cannot survive in the cold weather, so you'll likely only experience hornet problems during the warmer months of the year.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Coveralls
• Hat
• Chemical Spray
• Broom or rake (to knock the nest down once it's empty)
• Bee veil (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Leave the nest alone, if possible. After a hard freeze or a series of hard frosts, hornets will abandon a nest. If the next is not in a place where it is a hazard to people or animals, consider leaving it until it's evacuated. This is the safest course of action, because you run no risk of encountering angry hornets. Once the nest is evacuated, don some work gloves, knock the nest down and throw it away.

• 2

  If you cannot wait until the nest is evacuated, use a chemical spray on the nest at dusk or after dusk to reduce your risk of being stung. Most hornets have returned to their nest by dusk or shortly thereafter, so you won't encounter any errant workers. Wear protective gear, including gloves, a hat, a bee veil and coveralls if you're worried about being stung.

• 3

  Spray your insecticide in a sweeping motion so that you can clear any hornets that are guarding the nest, and then aim the stream directly at the entrance to the nest, which will likely be at the bottom of the nest.

• 4

  Wait two or three days after spraying the nest to knock the nest down and throw it away. If after a day you still see hornets around the nest, spray it again and wait for a few days before attempting to knock it down.