Hear from Our Customers
You’ll step outside without scanning for hornets overhead. Your kids can play in the yard without you watching nervously from the window. Weekend barbecues happen without guests jumping up from the table.
That’s what happens when hornet nests get eliminated properly the first time. No more rushing inside when you hear buzzing. No more avoiding sections of your property because aggressive hornets have claimed them as territory.
Unlike honey bees, hornets don’t lose their stinger and can sting repeatedly, making them more dangerous during the fall season. In Michigan, hornet colonies reach their peak in late summer when European hornets and other stinging insects like yellow jackets and paper wasps have spent the warm months building up their colonies.
First Choice Pest Control is trusted by over 363 happy customers, earning a 4.7-star rating. We’ve been handling Michigan’s hornet problems since 2005, back when Roger started this family business with 26 years of hands-on experience.
Hartland’s more common outdoor pests include bald-faced hornets that make their nests in tree branches or bushes, active from spring to fall, with most activity seen later in summer or early fall as nests reach full capacity. We know exactly what you’re dealing with because we’ve been removing these nests from Hartland properties for two decades.
You get the same experienced technician every visit. Not a different face every time, not part-time college students learning on your property. Awards from Angie’s List and Home Advisor back up what our customers already know – we show up when promised and solve the problem completely.
First, we locate the nest and assess the species you’re dealing with. European hornets are the only true hornets in Michigan and often nest in attics, trees, and walls. Many homeowners also encounter bald-faced hornets, which are actually wasps but equally aggressive.
Our first priority is to neutralize the current infestation using electronically calibrated equipment to apply safe and effective control materials directly to the nesting sites. This combination of liquid and dust treatments ensures we penetrate the colony and tackle wasps or hornets at their source.
We treat during optimal times when most hornets are in the nest, wearing full protective gear that homeowners don’t have access to. After eliminating the colony, we remove the nest structure and check for any remaining activity. An average hornet nest will have 200 to 400 workers by late summer and they can become aggressive if they feel threatened.
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You get complete nest elimination, not just temporary suppression. We target the entire colony – adults, larvae, and the nest structure itself. Hornets defend their colonies in groups, and a single disturbance can release dozens of stinging insects.
Hornets are highly active in late summer, especially near homes and food sources. Avoid swatting at hornets as this increases your chances of getting stung. That’s why we handle the dangerous work with specialized equipment designed for treating nests up to 25 feet high.
In Hartland’s rural-suburban setting, we commonly find nests in mature trees, under deck railings, and tucked into eaves where they’re protected from weather. Average cost that homeowners paid for insect control in Livingston county is between $85.00 and $847.00, with most service calls requiring a follow-up visit. We include warranty coverage and return visits at no charge if any activity resumes.
Spring and early summer are ideal times for treatment, as nests are smaller and easier to control before they become fully established. However, removal can be done at any time if you have an active infestation.
Michigan’s hornet season peaks in August, and with hornets becoming more aggressive as their colonies grow, it’s essential to stay alert. Don’t wait if you’ve discovered a nest – colonies grow rapidly and become more dangerous as summer progresses. Many entomologists from schools like Michigan State University note that wasp nests can house thousands of individuals in just weeks.
Early removal is always safer and less expensive than waiting until the colony reaches peak size in late summer.
Even with protective gear, swarms can overwhelm homeowners. Hornets defend their colonies in groups, and a single disturbance can release dozens of stinging insects. Attempting DIY sprays or climbing ladders near nests often leads to painful accidents.
Hornets can be very temperamental if disturbed and the repercussions can be painful or even deadly. A hornet sting can cause a great amount of pain for the individual who got stung and some stings can become infected if the stinger gets stuck in your skin. Hornet stings are painful and can be hazardous for those with allergies. For some people, hornet stings can be life-threatening. Never ignore symptoms like chest tightness, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.
Professional removal eliminates these risks completely while ensuring the entire colony is eliminated.
When Michigan homeowners talk about hornets, they’re usually referring to the European hornet, which is the only true hornet species in Michigan. It’s larger than most native wasps, measuring up to 1.5 inches. Many wasps in Michigan, including bald-faced hornets and yellowjackets, are commonly mistaken for true hornets by homeowners.
Hartland’s more common outdoor pests include bald-faced hornets that make their nests in tree branches or bushes. Bald-faced hornet nests tend to be larger than nests of smaller stinging pests like yellow jackets. However, just like yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets aggressively defend their nests against any perceived threats.
All these species become more aggressive in late summer as their colonies reach peak population, making professional identification and removal essential for your safety.
Average cost that homeowners paid for insect control in Livingston county is between $85.00 and $847.00. The cost of the service is dependent on several factors: the first is the size of the nest, next the location plays a significant factor in the cost of the project, and finally the amount of time it takes to remove all signs of hornets from the property gets factored into the final bill.
Nests in easily accessible locations cost less than those requiring ladder work or specialized equipment to reach. Ground-level nests are typically less expensive than those high in trees or tucked under second-story eaves. Most service calls require a follow-up visit to ensure that the hornets haven’t returned.
We provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees and offer price matching for comparable local services. The investment in professional removal is always less than dealing with emergency room visits or property damage from aggressive hornets.
Yes, we prioritize hornet removal emergencies because of the immediate danger they pose to your family. Most emergency calls receive same-day or next-day service, depending on the time you contact us.
Our customers report: “I have used First Choice for at least 6 years, the first time being a bee issue. They came out promptly and took care of business. They always show up and do the job”. We’re very fast in responding to calls when we have issues that need attention quickly.
When you call before 2 PM, we typically can provide same-day service for hornet emergencies. Our technicians carry specialized equipment for treating both aerial nests and ground-dwelling colonies safely, ensuring complete elimination on the first visit.
While yellowjackets don’t reuse nests from the year before, new queens often return to the same area. So it’s not uncommon to see repeat activity around the same tree, wall, or deck post each spring. However, proper nest elimination prevents the current colony from continuing to grow and threaten your family.
We come back to your home in a couple of weeks to make sure that the hornets haven’t returned. Our number one priority is to ensure that things are taken care of satisfactorily. We want you to do without pests on your property and to feel good about contacting us again for future services.
We include warranty coverage on all hornet removal services and return at no charge if any activity resumes during the service period. Complete elimination of the current nest structure and colony prevents immediate return, though new colonies may establish in following seasons if conditions remain attractive to hornets.
