Baldfaced Hornet Control in Schertz, TX
If you have spotted a large, closed, gray paper nest shaped like an upside-down pear in a Schertz tree, with an entrance hole near the bottom and black-and-white wasps going in and out, you may be looking at a baldfaced hornet colony. When the nest is high in a tree and away from people, AgriLife's advice is to leave it alone. When it hangs by a doorway, over a patio or above a lawn you mow, have it treated rather than poking at it; call or text (210) 281-1064, or book online.
Texas's only "hornet" is really a yellowjacket #
AgriLife calls the baldfaced hornet the only hornet reported in Texas, then adds that it actually belongs with the yellowjackets. It is about 3/4 inch long and black with white or ivory markings, mostly on the face and the tip of the abdomen. Its wings fold lengthwise when it rests.
A colony peaks at a queen plus 200 to 400 workers, according to AgriLife (Field Guide). The sting can be intensely painful, and like other wasps it can sting more than once. The baldfaced hornet guide covers the biology in more depth.
Nest checklist: which gray paper nest is it? #
| What you see | Most likely | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Closed gray "football" or pear, entrance at the bottom, up to about 3 ft long | Baldfaced hornet | This page |
| Gray ball in a tree canopy, swarming with tiny dark wasps | Mexican honey wasp | Mexican honey wasp control in Schertz |
| Open, single-layer comb you can see into | Paper wasp | Paper wasp control in Schertz |
| Hole in the ground with steady traffic | Yellowjacket | Yellowjacket control in Schertz |
Three counties, no local record #
Schertz is unusual in that it straddles three counties. The Census Bureau's 2024 estimate puts 36,418 residents in the Guadalupe County part of the city, 6,169 in Bexar and 1,841 in Comal (Census estimates).
None of those county lines tells you anything about baldfaced hornets, because no source we checked does either. AgriLife and the Texas Apiary Inspection Service confirm the species is reported in Texas, but neither describes where in the state it lives or how common it is around San Antonio. Penn State says it occurs across most of the lower 48 states. So treat a sighting in Schertz as possible, and get the ID confirmed before assuming the worst.
On the trail or in your own yard #
The City of Schertz's parks page mentions natural parks and hike-and-bike trails (Schertz Parks). Baldfaced hornets usually hang their nests in trees, often high up, and only now and then on the side of a building or under an eave. That means a walker is about as likely to notice one overhead as a homeowner is to find one on the house.
Texas sources say hornets are less likely to attack than paper wasps or yellowjackets, largely because their nests sit high or in out-of-the-way places. Trouble starts when the nest is low, near a door or play area, or above ground that gets mowed. If you see a nest on public land, keep your distance and let the city know; the main City Hall number is (210) 619-1000.
Why you never spray just the outside #
Penn State Extension warns that spraying only the outer shell angers the colony and raises the risk of stings for several days afterward. AgriLife's wasp bulletin adds that anyone treating a nest should stay 10 to 15 feet back and wear protective clothing such as a bee suit, or hire a professional.
Other don'ts:
- Don't knock the nest down with a pole or a hose.
- Don't stand and swat if the hornets come out. Cover your head and head for a building or car.
- Don't jump into a pool to escape.
- Don't attempt any control with a venom allergy or heart condition.
How Pest Trappers handles baldfaced hornets in Schertz #
The technician first confirms what built the nest, since several gray paper nests look alike from the ground. If it is a baldfaced hornet colony that needs to go, they explain the options, work in protective gear and apply any product exactly as the label directs. Pricing follows the inspection. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is a family-owned company licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. For more about our work in town, visit the Schertz page.