The Spruce / Nez Riaz

It can be challenging to tell hornets and wasps apart.

That’s mainly because all hornets are a subset of wasps.

They are related, although hornets are larger and often nastier.

Hornets vs. Wasps comparison

The Spruce / Nez Riaz

Read on to learn how to identify them and keep them away.

Hornet vs. Wasp Identification

Hornets, wasps, and bees are in the Hymenoptera order of insects.

Tens of thousands of species of wasps exist, and they vary widely in size and behavior.

Large European hornets clustered at the entrance to their nest inside a hollowed tree.

European hornets nesting in a tree.Paul Starosta / Getty Images

Most wasps are solitary and go primarily undetected by humans.

Also, wasps have black and yellow rings, while hornets have black and white rings.

True hornets are a particular subcategory that includes 22 species of eusocial wasps.

A bald-faced hornet with distinct white and black markings on its face.

A bald-faced hornetbeachgrampa / Getty Images

The only true hornet that lives in the U.S. is the European hornet.

What is Eusocial?

Many species of wasps (including hornets) are “eusocial” wasps, meaning they are highly organized.

A hanging bald-faced hornets nest constructed around the limb of a tree.

A bald-faced hornet nestJossK / Getty Images

They work as a group to forage, construct nests, raise offspring, and protect the queen.

The most common nests are hanging paper nests, but some wasps make burrows underground.

European Hornets

European hornets have black and yellow rings.

A small, open-faced paper wasp nest with 5 busy worker wasps on the outside.

A small paper wasp nest11Audrey11 / Getty Images

They are most likely to sting out of defense if they are at risk of being squished.

They generally prefer to avoid confrontation but can become defensive of their nest and food sources.

Paul Starosta / Getty Images

Bald-faced Hornets

Bald-faced hornets have distinct black and white markings.

A yellow and black solitary wasp with a long, spindly waist constructing a small mud nest

A solitary wasp constructing a mud nest.MANORANJAN MISHRA / Getty Images

Bald-faced hornets can be very aggressive, especially if you’re standing close to their nest.

Many species ofpaper waspsare docile; they are often happy to do their business without getting aggressive or stinging.

Scrape orknock down a small paper wasp nestwith a broom and stomp on it immediately.

A burrow with a round paper yellow jacket nest built inside

A yellow jacket nest inside a burrowprill / Getty Images

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets are wasps that are mostly yellow with black banding.

Burrow nests are often the most dangerous.

If you suspect a wall void nest, \call a professional to take a look as soon as possible.

Bees use their sting for protection, while hornets and wasps have smooth stingers they use for hunting.

Wasp stings are next on the pain spectrum, especially if their stinger penetrates the skin deeply.

Bee stings are the least painful, causing a sharp, burning sensation.

All types of these stings cause swelling.

In general, hornets are typically more aggressive than wasps.

Hornets are territorial of their nests and will attack if they feel threatened.

Hornets are capable of stinging multiple times.

In general, hornets will not sting unless provoked.

If left alone, hornets will remain calm and won’t attack or sting.