Do European Hornets Fly at Night? Unraveling the Mystery of Their Nocturnal Activities

European hornets, also known as brown or giant hornets, are a notable species due to their size and behavior. As social wasps, these insects grow to be about 3/4 to 1 3/8 inches long and have brown bodies with yellow stripes on their abdomen and a light-colored face ¹.

One particularly interesting feature of European hornets is their activity during nighttime hours. Unlike many other hornet species, European hornets are known to fly at night, often being attracted to bright exterior lighting or light shining from indoors ². This nocturnal behavior sets them apart from their daytime-reluctant relatives and can cause some concern for those who encounter them after dark.

Do European Hornets Fly at Night

Circadian Rhythms

European hornets, also known as brown or giant hornets, have unique circadian rhythms compared to other wasp species. They are active during the day and also at night, which is rather unusual for wasps. For example, they may be attracted to bright exterior lighting or light shining at night.

Activity Patterns

Their activity patterns set European hornets apart from other wasps. To give you an idea, here’s a comparison of European hornets with a common wasp species, the paper wasp:

In summary, European hornets do fly at night, while many other wasp species, such as paper wasps, are typically active during the day. This nocturnal behavior makes European hornets more likely to be attracted to bright lights and may cause encounters with humans during nighttime hours.

Habitat and Nesting Behavior

Nest Locations

European hornets are social wasps that build fragile, tan paper nests in concealed places. Examples of such places include:

• Hollow trees
• Barns
• Outbuildings
• Hollow walls of houses
• Attics
• Abandoned bee hives ¹

These hornets do not reuse old nests; only mated queens in sheltered locations survive the winter, and each queen establishes a new nest in the spring³. European hornets have spread to most of the eastern United States, as far west as Louisiana and the Dakotas⁴.

Nighttime Protective Measures

European hornets are often attracted to lights and can be more active during nighttime hours³. Foraging hornets pose little hazard to people as long as they are not disturbed.

When a nest is near human activity or within a structure, it is advisable to hire a pest control professional with expertise in killing and removing European hornet nests⁵.

What Attracts European Hornets at Night

Light Sources

European hornets are nocturnal insects, which means they are active during the night. One factor that attracts them is light sources. Porch lights or other bright exterior lighting can entice these hornets to fly nearby. Additionally, light shining through windows may also attract them.

Food Availability

At night, European hornets are on the hunt for food. Their diet consists of various insects and other arthropods, which makes night time an ideal period to search for prey as many insects are active during these hours. For example, they feed on flies, spiders, and even crickets that are more active at night.

Key Features:

• Nocturnal insects
• Attracted to light sources
• Hunt for food at night

Characteristics:

• Brown coloration with yellow stripes
• Length: 3/4 to 1 3/8 inches
• Capable of multiple stings

Pros and Cons of European Hornets:

In conclusion, European hornets are attracted to light sources at night, and their nocturnal lifestyle increases their food availability as they hunt for insects that are more active during this time.

Preventing European Hornet Nighttime Encounters

Outdoor Lighting Adjustments

European hornets are known to be attracted to lights at night. To reduce nighttime encounters with these hornets, consider making adjustments to your outdoor lighting:

• Switch to yellow or warm-colored LED lights, as they are less attractive to insects
• Install motion-activated lights instead of continuous lighting
• Use dimmer lights, as brighter lights are more attractive to hornets

Reducing Food Sources

Another way to prevent encounters with European hornets at night is by limiting their food sources around your home:

• Keep garbage cans closed tightly and clean to avoid attracting insects
• Pick up fallen fruits from fruit trees, as they serve as food for hornets
• Eliminate standing water in your yard, as it attracts various insects

By following these outdoor lighting adjustments and reducing food sources, you can minimize the chances of nighttime encounters with European hornets.