Hornets are among the most feared stinging insects in Dallas-Fort Worth — and rightly so. Larger and more aggressive than typical wasps, hornets build large enclosed paper nests in trees, attics, soffits, and wall voids. A mature hornet colony can hold 400-700 workers, and disturbing one is genuinely dangerous: hornets will pursue threats for hundreds of feet and sting repeatedly with venom strong enough to send healthy adults to the emergency room.

DFW homeowners encounter several species labeled "hornets," including European hornets (true hornets, large brown-and-yellow), bald-faced hornets (technically aerial yellow jackets, building basketball-sized gray paper nests), and giant cicada killers (large but actually solitary wasps, not true hornets). Identification matters because treatment approach varies dramatically by species.

The CanMan's hornet removal program prioritizes safety. We identify the species, scope the nest, treat at the right time of day to maximize colony contact, remove the nest when safe to do so, and treat surrounding areas to prevent rebuild. Never attempt hornet removal yourself — it's the single most common cause of pest-related ER visits in Texas.

DFW hornet activity peaks May through October. European hornets favor mature trees, barns, and attic spaces — common in older Fort Worth and East Dallas neighborhoods with mature canopy. Bald-faced hornets build their distinctive enclosed nests in trees and under eaves across nearly every DFW suburb. New construction in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, and Celina sees hornet pressure from undeveloped land and creek-adjacent properties. The CanMan removes dozens of hornet nests every summer from homes, schools, parks, and businesses across Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding metro.