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How to Remove a Hornet's Nest Inside the Soffit & Facia Board of My Home

Closely resembling yellow jackets, hornets are a type of wasp that inhabit most of the globe. They chew wood into papery pulp to build their hives which are dominated by a queen. If they feel threatened, hornets will aggressively defend their nest by swarming and stinging the invader. They will usually build their hives in trees but occasionally choose an awning or soffit of a home as their construction site, posing an obvious nuisance to the residents of the dwelling.

Things You'll Need

Ladder
Extension pole
Hornet pesticide dust
Protective clothing
Flashlight

Instructions

- 1
  Attach hornet pesticide dust dispenser to the extension pole. Dress in protective clothing from head to toe. Wait until dark to apply pesticide to nest because the hornets will be sleeping.
- 2
  Aim the flashlight at the soffit to determine where the hornets are entering. Look for a hole in the facia board or trim near the nest site. Raise the pesticide dust dispenser to the hole and apply a generous amount of dust to the entrance area. Hornets will get the powder on their bodies and carry it into the hive, spreading the pesticide to others inside. This will ensure the hornets inside, including the queen, will be exterminated whereas spraying from the outside only affects the hornets exiting the nest.
- 3
  Wait for a few days before attempting to remove the nest. Dress in protective clothing. After dark, place the ladder within arm's length of the nest site. Remove the facia board carefully because the hive may be attached to it rather than the soffit. Watch for any movement or live hornets. If there are any live hornets, a reapplication of pesticide dust directly on the nest may be needed.
- 4
  Detach hive from soffit and carry it down the ladder. Reattach facia board to the soffit.

Insects & Science