Hornets are big! Huge.
And they are yellow, and they sting! It is these 3 reasons why people hate hornets. The usual response to a hornet is to run away, flailing your arms around your head, potentially screaming.
Am I wrong? Are we right to fear these flying war machines? Do hornets do anything useful, or are they just here to ruin the warm weather? What is the purpose of hornets?
In this post, we will look at 5 things that hornets are good for and 1 thing about hornets that I hate!
What you will learn:
- What is the purpose of hornets (5 of them)
- The 1 thing I hate most about hornets (it isn’t the sting!)
- Why we fear hornets
What Is The Purpose Of Hornets? Well, Here Are 5
Good For Your Garden
Believe it or not, hornets are good for the garden!
Hornets pollinate flowers as they travel through your garden, which is vital for your fruit harvest, right?
Hornets Prey On Pests
For me, this is the most important purpose that a hornet has!
Hornets feed on insects, and insects quickly become pests in your yard. A wasp will hunt for insects (such as mosquitoes in your yard), which reduces the chances that they bite you.
Hornets Eat Spiders
For those readers who have arachnophobia, I have some excellent news for you!
Hornets eat spiders! Rejoice!
Usually, spiders will set up webs in your yard to catch anything that flies into them. What they do not want is a meetup with a hornet! A hornet will happily eat a spider and even take some home to feed the growing brood of hornets back at the nest. For you, it means one less spider!
Hornets Attack Wasps
If there is only one answer to the question: What is the purpose of hornets? Then this is it!
Not only do hornets eat spiders, and not only do spiders hunt other pests that annoy you, but they also hunt and kill wasps!
Wasps, as you know, are like hornets, only smaller and more aggressive. These are the pests that annoy me the most when I am outside. Fear not; when there are hornets about, the wasps become prey.
Am I convincing you to keep hornets as pets yet?
Hornets Health Kick
Ok, so this one is a bit of a lighthearted purpose!
Wasps are attracted to sugar, right? So… with less sugar around your home or yard, you are less likely to get hornets buzzing around you. That means you automatically reduce your sugar intake, simply through fear of attracting hornets!
Not only that, but if you get a hornet close to you, the natural reaction is to run, which is also a health benefit! It’s a bit like a hornet-induced HIIT session:
- Run
- Flap arms
- Run some more
- 20 squats (optional)
I’m not sure how many calories that will burn in one hour!
The Bad Part Of Hornets
Hornets Kill Bees
If I were to pick the worst thing about hornets, it would be the fact that they attack bees.
I like bees. Ok, I like honey, Bee’s make honey. Therefore I like bees.
Hornets attack bees, which I don’t like.
Personal opinions aside, hornets sting. It hurts.
Hornets – Why They Are Feared
Humans fear hornets for 3 main reasons.
Hornets Sting
Most of us humans have a fear of pain—Hornets sting. Stings are painful.
Therefore, we are scared of hornets because their sting is painful.
Not only does it hurt to be stung by a hornet, but it is also potentially life-threatening. For example, hornet stings can induce a reaction called anaphylaxis, which is a severe reaction that can kill you.
Hornets Are Seen To Be Aggressive
Hornets are tarred with the same brush as wasps, which is basically:
Aggressive little flying yellow things that are put on this earth to haunt our summer and stop us from eating outside.
While this might be true for wasps, it is not true for hornets. Hornets are not as aggressive as wasps and are extremely unlikely to attack you unless:
- You are attacking them or;
- You are straying close to their nest
Hornets defend their nests very aggressively! If you see a nest, don’t get near them, don’t make them angry because you will be stung at least once.
Hornets Are Like Wasps On Steroids
Hornets are like a wasp that has been hitting the gym for the last 2 years. They are over 1 inch in length and are very stocky too.
Their size makes them feared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hornets aggressive?
Hornets are not as aggressive as wasps, but they do get aggressive if you are aggressive or you are getting too close to their nest. If you notice a hornet’s nest near your home, you should get a professional to remove it, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Hornets will defend their nests aggressively, and you will be stung!
Can you die from a wasp sting?
A hornet sting can induce a reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening! Therefore, it is possible that a hornet’s sting can kill a person.
What are hornets attracted to?
Hornets are attracted to sweet things like sugar or sugary drinks. They are also attracted to areas where insects are rife. As hornets feed on insects and take them back to their next (to feed their young), they will be attracted to areas where insects are prevalent.
Conclusion
What is the purpose of hornets? I have given you 5 things that make hornets helpful in this post. They also have 1 habit that I hate!
Ultimately, it would be best if you did not judge hornets like you do a wasp. They are different, and not just in size, either! Wasps can be very aggressive, but hornets only display aggression if they are threatened, or you are too close to their nest.
Be very wary if you are out and you stumble upon a hornet’s nest. It would be best if you backed away immediately. You should not tackle the problem yourself if you have a hornet’s nest in your home. Instead, you should call a local pest control expert.
I had some excellent results from this wasp trap, so if you get a few wasps around your home, they are worth buying.
Good luck!
