Hear from Our Customers
You’ll stop scanning the sky every time you walk outside. Your kids can play in the yard without you watching for buzzing threats overhead.
When we eliminate hornets from your Metamora property, you get immediate relief. No more cancelled barbecues because of aggressive insects dive-bombing your guests. No more rushing pets inside when you spot that telltale gray nest hanging from your eaves.
The peace of mind hits you the moment our technician confirms the colony is gone. Your outdoor space belongs to your family again, not to dangerous stinging insects that can put someone in the hospital with a single swarm attack.
Roger has been eliminating hornet threats in Metamora since we opened First Choice Pest Control in 2005. With 26 years of hands-on experience, he knows exactly how Michigan’s hornets behave and where they hide their nests.
We’re the pest control company that keeps the same technician on your property year after year. No part-time college students learning on your family’s safety. No rotating crews who don’t know your property’s trouble spots.
In Metamora’s rural setting, hornets find perfect nesting conditions in wooded areas, outbuildings, and the many older homes with hidden entry points. We’ve seen every type of infestation this area produces, and we have the specialized equipment to reach nests other companies can’t safely eliminate.
We start with a thorough inspection because hornets nest in places you’d never think to look. Wall voids, attic spaces, hollow trees, even inside old grills or unused equipment. Missing even one satellite nest means the problem returns.
Our treatment uses electronically calibrated equipment that reaches deep into nest structures. Power dusters deliver professional-grade products that eliminate entire colonies – queens, workers, larvae, and pupae. Store-bought sprays can’t match this level of penetration.
After elimination, we remove nest structures and seal entry points. This prevents surviving hornets from reestablishing and stops new colonies from choosing the same locations next season. You get complete elimination, not a temporary fix that fails in two weeks.
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Most Metamora residents don’t realize Michigan has only one true hornet – the European hornet. These large, brownish insects with yellow stripes are the only ones active at night, often banging against porch lights and windows.
What people usually call “hornets” are actually aggressive wasps. Bald-faced hornets build those football-shaped gray nests you see hanging from trees. Eastern yellowjackets create underground colonies that can house thousands of insects by late summer.
Each species requires different removal approaches. European hornets often nest inside wall voids where standard treatments can’t reach. Bald-faced hornets swarm aggressively when their aerial nests are threatened. Underground yellowjacket colonies need specialized application methods to eliminate entire populations. Our technicians identify exactly what you’re dealing with, then apply the precise treatment for complete elimination.
Hornet stings are significantly more dangerous than bee stings for several critical reasons. Hornets can sting multiple times without losing their stinger, while bees can only sting once before dying.
Each hornet sting injects more venom than a bee sting, causing more intense pain and swelling. But the real danger comes from their swarming behavior. When hornets feel threatened, they release alarm pheromones that trigger other colony members to attack en masse.
For people with allergies, even one hornet sting can trigger anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal within minutes without immediate medical attention. Even people without known allergies can develop life-threatening reactions from multiple stings during a swarm attack. This is why professional removal is essential – the risk of triggering defensive behavior during DIY attempts is simply too high.
Metamora has three main aggressive stinging insects that residents encounter. The European hornet is Michigan’s only true hornet – large, brownish with yellow stripes, and uniquely active at night. They often nest in wall voids, attics, and hollow trees.
Bald-faced hornets are actually yellowjackets with distinctive black and white markings. They build those gray, football-shaped nests you see hanging from tree branches and building overhangs. These are extremely aggressive when their nests are disturbed.
Eastern yellowjackets are the most dangerous because they nest underground in colonies that can reach 5,000 individuals by late summer. Their yellow and black striped bodies make them easy to confuse with bees, but they’re far more aggressive. Each species requires different removal techniques for safe, complete elimination.
Store-bought hornet sprays create a false sense of security because they only kill insects on contact. They can’t penetrate deep enough into nest structures to reach queens, larvae, and pupae hidden inside. Surviving colony members rebuild quickly, often becoming more aggressive.
Timing is critical for effective removal, and most homeowners don’t understand hornet behavior patterns. Disturbing nests during peak activity hours triggers massive swarm attacks. Even partial nest damage makes surviving hornets more defensive and likely to attack.
Professional removal requires specialized protective equipment that covers every inch of exposed skin. Standard bee suits aren’t sufficient for hornet removal. We use professional-grade gear designed specifically for aggressive stinging insects, plus we have the training to work safely even when hornets swarm during treatment.
Hornet colonies reach peak size and aggression levels during late summer, typically August through September. This is when colonies can house thousands of insects and when they’re most likely to attack if they feel threatened.
European hornets are unique because they’re active both day and night. You’ll often see them banging against porch lights and windows after dark. Bald-faced hornets and yellowjackets are most active during warm, sunny days when they’re foraging for food.
Weather affects their behavior significantly. Hornets become more aggressive before storms and during high humidity. They’re less active during cool mornings and evenings, which is when we typically schedule removal treatments. Understanding these patterns allows us to time treatments for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Prevention starts with eliminating nesting opportunities around your Metamora property. We seal cracks and gaps in soffits, eaves, and siding where hornets scout for nest sites. Special attention goes to areas around utility penetrations and loose building materials.
We identify and address attractants that draw hornets to your property. This includes removing fallen fruit, securing garbage cans, and eliminating standing water sources. European hornets are particularly attracted to outdoor lighting, so we may recommend switching to less attractive yellow bulbs.
Residual treatments applied to potential nesting areas provide long-term protection. These professional-grade products remain effective for months, deterring hornets from establishing new colonies. Regular inspections during peak swarming seasons help catch any new activity before colonies become established and dangerous.
Keep everyone away from the nest area immediately. Don’t attempt to spray, knock down, or block the nest entrance. These actions trigger aggressive swarming that can put multiple people in the hospital within seconds.
Mark the nest location from a safe distance so you can direct our technicians to it, but avoid repeated trips to check on it. Increased human activity near nests makes hornets more defensive and increases attack likelihood.
Call us for immediate professional removal. The longer you wait, the larger the colony grows and the more dangerous removal becomes. Late summer colonies can house thousands of aggressive insects that will swarm at the slightest disturbance. Professional removal eliminates this threat safely while protecting your family from potentially life-threatening attacks.
