Hornet nests common this time of year

Now that the leaves have dropped, the globular nests of bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are easy to spot dangling from tree branches. These intricate structures began last spring when a hornet queen emerged from an over-wintering site (not an old nest) and selected a desirable site for a new nest. Queens choose their nesting sites carefully. They prefer elevated and secure spots, often 10 to 30 feet high in trees or large shrubs, where sturdy branches can support the weight of their intricate nests. Dense tree canopies offer shelter from wind and rain, while locations away from frequent human or animal activity provide safety from disturbance. Proximity to food sources — such as flowering plants for nectar and areas rich in insects for protein — is also essential. These factors combine to create the ideal environment for hornets to build their impressive paper structures. Bald-faced hornets are expert builders, crafting their nests from a natural papier-mâché. Workers scrape weathered wood with their strong jaws, chew it into fibers, and mix it with saliva to create a durable pulp. This material is layered to form a protective paper envelope around two to four tiers of combs inside. Throughout summer, hornets add new layers for the growing population. The nest's unique colors come from the variety of wood sources, making each one a true work of nature's art. The nest will serve as home for only one season. By late summer, new queens and males emerge. After mating, queens seek sheltered overwintering sites beneath bark or inside hollow trees, leaving behind workers destined to perish in the cold. Come spring, queens start fresh — never reusing old nests. The old nests often become conversation pieces when displayed in homes, offices, and nature centers. Their multihued patterns spark curiosity about the wood sources hornets used. With an abundance of nests in Ohio this year, collectors may be tempted, but caution is essential. Some nests at this time still harbor live hornets. As winter sets in, surviving hornets cluster between comb tiers, insulated by the paper envelope and empty chambers. Though they eventually freeze, they can persist surprisingly long into winter. Bringing a nest indoors too soon can lead to an unpleasant surprise if hornets revive in warm conditions. Waiting until spring eliminates risk, but pristine nests are rare by then. Collecting too early could turn a holiday gift into a stinging disaster. If you collect a nest now, store it in an unheated garage, shed, or covered porch until mid-to-late January. Alternatively, seal it in a garbage bag and place it in a freezer for several weeks. This ensures hornets are dead and protects the nest from moisture, which can degrade the paper. Outdoor storage also allows remaining larvae to dry out, preventing odor when displayed indoors. Finally, skip the varnish or hairspray. Contrary to popular belief, hornet nests require no preservatives. In fact, coatings can alter their natural colors over time. Kept dry and undisturbed, a nest can last indefinitely. For more details and photos go to https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2294 and https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/preserving-and-displaying-hornets-nest. Ed Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator with Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County.