What Makes This Wasp The Most Aggressive One In Michigan

When you think of a wasp, people typically think of a yellowjacket wasp. As a kid, I always thought of these as the "meaner and leaner" looking bees with similar-looking nests.

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I always thought of these as the big bads of the insect world until we got a hornet nest in the backyard and saw its freaky paper nest, realizing there was a scarier yellow-and-black stinging insect to worry about. Hornets are far more aggressive than wasps and should be avoided at all costs.

While bees only sting once, hornets and wasps are capable of stinging multiple times. If that sounds unpleasant, you need to watch out for Michigan's most aggressive stinger, the Bald-faced Hornet, whose active season is right around the corner.

What Is The Bald-faced Hornet?

First, let's clear up a misconception. The Bald-faced Hornet, despite its name, is not a hornet. It's actually a wasp and resembles a yellowjacket wasp, except it's white and black rather than yellow and black. The Bald-faced Hornet is larger than a yellowjacket, and while yellowjackets are also aggressive, the Hornet is on another level. These insects are known for attacking anyone and anything that makes them feel threatened.

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The Bald-faced Hornet has a smooth, venom-filled stinger. You do not want to mess around with this wasp, and if you do accidentally find yourself getting stung by it, you are in for a world of hurt. Below, you can watch someone experience one of these painful stings firsthand. The most active time of year for this insect is from June to mid-August.

Stay AWAY From This Nest

Not that anyone in their right mind would approach a wasp nest, but you especially want to stay away from this one. Bald-faced Hornet nests are similar in appearance to those of others, typically ranging from football to basketball-sized. Getting too close to this is enough to warrant being stung, so it's best to contact an exterminator as soon as possible to have it removed.