Saw a Giant Hornet in Comfort, TX? What It Most Likely Is
If you think you saw an Asian giant hornet, the so-called murder hornet, in Comfort, TX, you can breathe easier: the Texas Apiary Inspection Service says it does not exist in Texas, and federal and Washington state officials declared it eradicated from the United States in December 2024. What people around Comfort usually see instead is a large native wasp, most often a cicada killer. If a real nest of something is near your home and you want it identified or treated, call or text (210) 281-1064, or book a visit online.
Why a giant hornet in the Hill Country is so unlikely #
The record is short. Every confirmed North American find came from British Columbia or Whatcom County in Washington state. When the 2020 scare hit, Texas A&M AgriLife confirmed none had turned up elsewhere in the country, Texas included, and TAIS still says the insect does not exist here (TAIS). AgriLife's urban entomology team also doubts Texas would suit it.
Then the Washington population was wiped out. With three straight years and no confirmed detection, Washington agriculture officials and USDA announced eradication from the United States in mid-December 2024 (WSDA), while warning that a new introduction is always possible. Newer articles may call it the "northern giant hornet," a name entomologists adopted in 2022.
The look-alikes Comfort residents are really seeing #
AgriLife points first to cicada killers and the pigeon horntail (AgriLife Today). A side-by-side of the local suspects:
| Look-alike | Key marks | Usual setting |
|---|---|---|
| Cicada killer | 1 to 1 1/2 in, dark red head and thorax, yellow-banded black abdomen | Hovering over lawns; digs dime- to quarter-size holes |
| Pigeon horntail | Large, hornet-colored, no visible waist | A common mix-up per AgriLife; it cannot sting |
| Yellowjacket queen | Very large and mostly orange; workers 1/2 in | Spring; ground or wall nests |
| Baldfaced hornet | 3/4 in, black with white markings | Gray paper nest, usually in trees |
| Tarantula hawk | Up to 2 in, blue-black, orange or black wings | On flowers; hunting tarantulas |
| Carpenter bee or bumble bee | About 3/4 in, fuzzy; carpenter bees have a shiny abdomen | Wood trim, flowers |
Washington's state agriculture department adds paper wasps and yellowjackets to its own list of frequent false alarms.
What a real giant hornet looks like #
For contrast, AgriLife describes the northern giant hornet as 1.5 to 2 inches long, with a bright orange or yellow head as wide as or wider than its shoulders, a dark brown thorax and a pinched waist. Insects in the City notes its yellow-orange head and heavier body set it apart from our biggest native wasps. A cicada killer's head, by comparison, is narrower than its thorax. And all four U.S. nests were found in alder tree cavities, not dug into lawns.
No city hall? Where to send a report from Comfort #
Comfort is a census-designated place rather than an incorporated city, so there is no city office to call; Kendall County services apply. For a giant-hornet question, though, the route runs through Texas A&M either way:
- Snap a sharp picture without getting close, and upload it to the insect identification form run by Texas A&M's entomology department; that is the channel TAIS points Texans to.
- Beekeepers worried about hornets at a hive can email [email protected] or phone 979-321-5827.
- The county also has a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office that can help with identification (county Extension office).
Washington's hornet hotline accepts Washington reports only, so a Comfort sighting belongs with Texas A&M.
What not to do #
- Don't kill cicada killers out of fear. AgriLife's E-239 calls control of this beneficial wasp rarely warranted.
- Don't swat at a big wasp that is hovering near you. Male cicada killers have no stinger and are bluffing.
- Don't try to catch or handle any large wasp to get a better look. A photo is enough.
Where Pest Trappers fits in #
We won't sell you giant hornet removal; the insect isn't here. What a technician can do is identify the wasp you actually saw, look for any nest on your property, and tell you honestly whether it needs treatment. Yellowjacket ground nests and baldfaced hornet nests near people are worth handling; cicada killers usually are not. If treatment is needed, the technician walks you through the options and follows the product label. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is family-owned and quotes after the inspection. The giant hornet guide has more, and the Comfort service page lists local services.