Huge wood boring wasp or hornet - Ask Extension
What are these huge wasps boring into my lilac bush? They are killing whole branches and making the bush brittle.
How do I get rid of them?
They ar...
Knowledgebase
Huge wood boring wasp or hornet #809305
Asked September 03, 2022, 11:16 AM EDT
What are these huge wasps boring into my lilac bush? They are killing whole branches and making the bush brittle.
How do I get rid of them?
They are hanging around the hummingbird feeders.
They don't seem to be aggressive, but I want them gone!
Summit County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Barbara
It appears your lilac bush and your hummingbird feeder are being frequented by European Hornets. They are girdling your lilac bush in order to make nesting material and to drink the sap. They also drink from hummingbird feeders.
Unfortunately, unless you locate their nest, there is not much you can do. The good news is that they are not aggressive, unless you bother them!
I found several articles about them and have
attached them below.
https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/eurhorn.html#:~:text=European%20hornets%20girdle%20smaller%20twigs,above%20the%20girdled%20area%20dies.
https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/european-hornet-the-mysterious-branch-girdler/
Thanks for using Ask A Master Gardener!
Leslie
EMG
It appears your lilac bush and your hummingbird feeder are being frequented by European Hornets. They are girdling your lilac bush in order to make nesting material and to drink the sap. They also drink from hummingbird feeders.
Unfortunately, unless you locate their nest, there is not much you can do. The good news is that they are not aggressive, unless you bother them!
I found several articles about them and have
attached them below.
https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/eurhorn.html#:~:text=European%20hornets%20girdle%20smaller%20twigs,above%20the%20girdled%20area%20dies.
https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/european-hornet-the-mysterious-branch-girdler/
Thanks for using Ask A Master Gardener!
Leslie
EMG
THANK YOU!
Definitely looks like the European Hornets. I am planning on removing the lilac bush since the hornets have a tendency to return to the same plant in the following year. I will do this after a hard frost in November.
Until then I will leave them alone and stay far far away from them. The articles you attached are very informative. Thank you again for the fast response!
Definitely looks like the European Hornets. I am planning on removing the lilac bush since the hornets have a tendency to return to the same plant in the following year. I will do this after a hard frost in November.
Until then I will leave them alone and stay far far away from them. The articles you attached are very informative. Thank you again for the fast response!
-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Sat, Sep 3, 2022 3:05 pm
Subject: Re: Huge wood boring wasp or hornet (#0079236)
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Sat, Sep 3, 2022 3:05 pm
Subject: Re: Huge wood boring wasp or hornet (#0079236)
