Hear from Our Customers
You can use your outdoor spaces without fear. No more rushing inside when hornets appear near your deck or patio.
Your family stays protected from dangerous stings that send thousands to Michigan hospitals annually. Professional removal eliminates the entire colony, not just the visible hornets.
Your peace of mind returns immediately. You know the problem is solved completely, with warranty protection if any activity returns.
Roger founded First Choice Pest Control in 2005, bringing 26 years of hands-on experience to every hornet removal job in Bancroft. You get the same experienced technician every visit who knows your property and understands rural pest challenges.
We’re not the company that sends different faces every time or uses part-time college students. Our trained professionals understand Michigan’s unique hornet behavior and seasonal patterns.
Awards from Angie’s List and Home Advisor back up what Bancroft residents already know. We show up when promised, solve problems completely, and stand behind our work with real guarantees.
First, we locate all hornet activity on your property. This includes aerial nests under eaves, ground colonies, and hidden nests inside walls or attics that you might not even know exist.
Next, we eliminate the entire colony using professional-grade treatments and specialized protective equipment. We treat during optimal times when most hornets are present in the nest for maximum effectiveness.
Finally, we remove the nest completely and seal entry points to prevent reoccupation. You receive warranty protection, and we return at no charge if any hornet activity reappears during the service period.
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Bancroft’s rural setting attracts multiple hornet species that pose serious risks to your family. European hornets build large colonies in tree hollows and building voids. Bald-faced hornets create football-sized nests in trees and under roof overhangs.
Michigan’s peak hornet season runs from July through September when colonies reach maximum size and aggression. A single mature nest can house 400-700 aggressive hornets ready to defend their territory with painful, repeated stings.
Our service includes emergency response for immediate threats, complete nest elimination with professional equipment, and preventive treatments to discourage future nesting. You receive upfront pricing with no hidden fees, plus we match reasonable competitor rates because choosing local expertise shouldn’t cost more.
Hornet stings are significantly more dangerous than most people realize, especially during peak season when colonies are fully established. Unlike bees, hornets can sting repeatedly without losing their stinger, and they release pheromones that attract other hornets to attack.
A single hornet sting can trigger severe allergic reactions even in people with no previous allergy history. Multiple stings can cause serious medical emergencies requiring immediate hospital treatment. Michigan sees thousands of hornet-related hospitalizations annually.
You should call for emergency removal immediately if you see hornet activity near your home’s entry points, children’s play areas, or outdoor entertainment spaces. Don’t wait for someone to get stung – professional removal eliminates the threat before accidents happen.
European hornets are Michigan’s only true hornet species, measuring up to 1.5 inches with distinctive yellow-striped abdomens and reddish thorax sections. They’re significantly larger than wasps or yellow jackets and build enclosed paper nests in tree hollows or building voids.
Bald-faced hornets are actually large wasps despite their name, creating the gray football-shaped nests you see hanging from trees or under roof eaves. They’re extremely aggressive and will attack with little provocation when defending their territory.
Yellow jackets are smaller but more aggressive than hornets, often nesting underground or inside wall cavities. Paper wasps build smaller umbrella-shaped nests and are generally less aggressive unless directly disturbed. Each species requires different removal techniques, which is why professional identification and treatment ensures effective results.
Most DIY attempts fail because store-bought sprays can’t reach the entire colony or penetrate deep into nests built inside walls or attics. You’re only killing the hornets you can see, leaving hundreds more inside the nest structure ready to emerge and become extremely aggressive.
Disturbing a hornet nest triggers defensive behavior from the entire colony. Hornets can pursue you for hundreds of yards and will continue attacking until they no longer perceive you as a threat. Many people end up in emergency rooms after attempted DIY removal.
Professional removal requires specialized protective equipment, professional-grade treatments that eliminate entire colonies, and knowledge of hornet behavior patterns. We know when to treat for maximum effectiveness and how to safely access difficult nest locations without putting anyone at risk.
Hornet removal costs depend on nest size, location accessibility, and the specific hornet species involved. Small, easily accessible nests typically start around $300, while large colonies or nests inside walls can cost up to $700 or more.
Emergency service during peak season may include additional charges, but we provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees. We also offer price matching for reasonable competitor quotes because choosing experienced local service shouldn’t cost more than working with unknown companies.
The investment is worthwhile when you consider the safety risks, potential medical costs from stings, and the fact that DIY attempts often fail and require professional intervention anyway. Our service includes warranty protection and return visits at no charge if any hornet activity reappears.
Early season removal in May and June is most effective and typically costs 30-40% less than peak season treatment. During spring, nests are smaller with fewer hornets, making removal safer and more straightforward.
However, don’t delay removal if you discover hornet activity during peak season from July through September. Colonies grow rapidly during summer months, and waiting makes the problem more dangerous and expensive to resolve.
We provide emergency removal year-round because hornet threats require immediate attention regardless of season. Fall treatment is still necessary if nests are discovered, as hornets remain active until hard freezes kill the colony naturally.
Prevention starts with eliminating what attracts hornets to your property in the first place. Seal cracks and crevices around your home’s exterior where hornets might start building nests, particularly around eaves, attic vents, and utility penetrations.
Remove food sources that attract hornets, including fallen fruit from trees, uncovered garbage cans, and pet food left outdoors. Keep outdoor dining areas clean and store sweet substances like sodas or fruit juices in sealed containers.
Regular professional inspections during spring can identify early nest construction before colonies become established and dangerous. We provide preventive treatments that create barriers discouraging nest construction and offer specific recommendations based on your property’s unique characteristics and risk factors.
