What's the Difference Between Yellow Jackets and Hornets?

The terms yellow jacket and hornet are used interchangeably, but did you know that yellow jackets and hornets are actually two different species? While both of these insects belong to the Vespidae family, there are a few stark differences that set these two apart from each other. Knowing which pest you are dealing with makes getting rid of them an easier job for your pest control company. Here are some differences you can look out for to tell if you have hornets or wasps:

Nest Location and Type

One of the most obvious ways you’ll be able to tell which type of pest you have is by their nest. Yellow jacket nests are often built in underground tunnels they create with separate rooms for the queen and workers. So if you see them flying low to the ground in one particular spot, it’s possible that there is a yellow jacket nest there. Hornets, however, tend to build their conical-shaped, papery-looking nests up high. These hornet nests are often in tree branches, shrubs, and sometimes on the eaves of your home. If your home has any holes, cracks, or any other entry points, sometimes you will even find hornet nests inside your walls.

Coloration, Hair, and Size

Although both insects have similar yellow and black coloring, there are two main differences that can help you tell them apart. Hornets are slightly hairy (not quite hairy as bees) whereas yellow jackets have hard, hairless bodies. Hornets also have red markings on their head and thorax. Another more obvious difference is that hornets are much larger than yellow jackets. Hornets range from 1.3 to 2.2 inches long whereas yellow jackets are only up to an inch long.

Behavior and Aggressiveness

While both species are aggressive, yellow jackets tend to be more aggressive than hornets. Hornets attack when someone nears their nest, and they can sting you multiple times very quickly. Yellow jackets, however, have been known to sting you for absolutely no reason, and they can both sting and bite.

Flying Speed

Finally, another stark distinction between the two is that hornets fly much faster than a yellow jacket. While you probably won’t be clocking them with a speed gun, it’s good to know that hornets can fly up to 14 mph while yellow jackets only fly around 6 to 7 mph.

Have a Nest You Need to Get Rid of? Call Classic!

No matter which type of pest you have, we can safely remove them and prevent them from coming back. Contact us and we’ll get your pest problem under control.