How to Retrieve a Hornet's Nest

Wait until the first hard freeze has passed. A typical hornet colony survives only one season, with the worker hornets and the queen dying off in winter. To minimize the chances of getting stung, wait. If the wait is too long until the first freeze, you may have to call a professional to kill off the occupants or fog the nest yourself.

Fog the nest using a mosquito fogger. The fog is a dry chemical that will not damage the nest but will stun or kill the hornets inside. You will see many dead hornets, but it is always safest to assume that there are still some waiting inside.

Slip a heavy-duty plastic garbage bag over the limb above the nest quickly and seal off the end with twist ties. Cut the branch or support the nest was hanging on and tie a knot in the garbage bag. Place this bag in the freezer for two days to ensure that all hornets are safely dead. If the nest is not a free hanging one and is "glued" into the corner of a roof or on your houses' siding, you will not be able to safely remove the nest without destroying it. Attempt this only with nests that are in a hanging position.

Spray a light coat of waterproof sealant or lacquer to protect the integrity of the nest when all hornets have been safely removed. This will also protect the nest from damage due to humidity. It is often best to hang the nest by part of the limb it was built on, if possible. This will add to the natural appearance of the nest in your decoration scheme.