Night time is best for visiting hornet/wasp nests
you can hear night insects
this is a bald faced hornet nest
there are around 300 insects in this nest
you can hear a fire lighting off
a torch is coming close
crackle of brush
testing the flame strength
this is a propane flame thrower also known as a weed burner
dramatic music begins
the reason the nest doesn't burn completely is that there are brood inside the cells
brood are mostly water, so they dispell heat
once you start burning a nest, it's important to keep the fire going
you may notice hornets flying around
those are scouts and foragers that were not inside the nest during the burn
it is important not to do this when grass is dry
we have had lots of rain, so the surrounding brush won't catch fire
you can hear some crackling sounds
note the scouts flying around already
each colony has ONEqueen
in the spring when nests begin, there is one hornet at first, that is the queen
Queens are much larger than workers
ants move in here right away
this is a normal sized worker hornet
buzzing can be heard going around the camera
none of these workers were present during the burn
they often spend the night out in the field and return during daylight
that's why it's important to follow up any treatment for removal
the white packets are brood
it's amazing that this much of the nest it left after burning
they actually pull the bodies out of the six sided cells
this entire nest is the result of one queen in spring
now they are after me and the camera
the slightest tap and you're done!
walk away, but do not run
they will sting you anyway, but more stings result if you flail or swat at them
the nest is uncovered, so they are more defensive than ever
you can hear them butting into the microphone
speed is reduced for detail
they sound like small motorized aircraft
you can hear night insects chirping
it is actually dark
hornets don't see well but go after objects in low light
starting off the fires again
frogs are croaking on the pond
propane flame thrower starting up again
dramatic music is playing
a woman's voice laments the demise of the insects
it's generally a good idea to call professionals to deal with bald faced hornets
though their sting is no more potent than most, they are definitely more defensive
they are quick to attack near their nest
all quiet now
only insects and frogs can be heard
night birds and bugs
a few hornets can be heard flying around
again, those were not in the nest during the burn
over the next several days, only a few hornets returned and I collected them for study
the nest was taken apart by a skunk or some other night prowler
if they are not near people, leave them alone
thank you for watching
stay safe