I'm seeing many Bald-faced Hornets this year. Anybody else noticing the same? Previously, I almost never saw any. However, this year they are everywhere. I am seeing more of them than the bright yellow and orange yellowjackets. They fly around everything: flowers, compost, water buckets, etc. but don't land on anything. I wonder what they are looking for? It's fun watching them; they are beautiful. Luckily, I haven't been stung by one yet. Though I still wonder why the noticeable increase in numbers.
Most years I see Bald-faced Hornets along with the yellowjackets but in smaller numbers; so far this year I haven't seen much of either. However their numbers usually increase when my grapes ripen, which is still a couple of weeks from now. I'm surprised that you are seeing the Bald-faced Hornets this early. Is there some ripening or rotting fruit to feed them?
There is no shortage of either insect around Victoria this year! So far at work we have found a good half-dozen yellowjacket nests. Had one in my front yard too, which a friend dug out for me. Haven't found the hornet nest at work yet, but I have seen them feeding around the aphid mess on the ornamental cherries. The hornets like to nest in a particular escalonia hedge, so I've been dreading trimming it. Last time, I beat the whole bush vigorously with a rake before trimming. Nothing came out, so I got to work. Trimmed right up to a foot over the nest before they started coming out. I ran! No stings ever from the hornets so far, but the underground yellowjackets usually get me before I see them. They seem quite fond of nesting under ornamental grasses.
