In the middle of summer, a family from Contrecœur, a town in the Montérégie region established on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, called Nova Extermination after discovering an imposing hornet’s nest lodged in the space between the wood shingle and the siding of their single-family home. Located near the back terrace, this nest was a real danger to the children and pets who frequented the yard on a daily basis. From the first call, our team planned a quick intervention to secure the premises before the colony grew further.
Inspection and identification of the colony
Upon our arrival in Contrecoeur, our technician carried out a thorough inspection of the perimeter of the property. The nest, of characteristic ovoid shape, measured approximately forty centimetres in height and was fixed between two covering boards, about two and a half metres from the ground. The significant activity of hornets around the entrance opening confirmed the presence of a well-established colony. Traces of low flying over the terrace indicated that the insects perceived this space as an area to be defended. In the vicinity of Verchères, similar situations on houses of identical style have already required several successive interventions, which prompted us to carefully assess the accessibility of the nest before starting the treatment.
Identifying the species is an essential step: hornets are larger and more aggressive than common wasps, and their stinger can be used several times. This data directly guides the choice of personal protective equipment and intervention methods. Our technician put on a full-body anti-pitting suit before approaching the structure.
Treatment and nest removal
The protocol chosen for this Contrecœur residence combined two complementary methods. First, an injection of powdered insecticide with residual action was carried out directly into the nest opening using a long-rod blow gun. This type of registered product adheres to the exoskeletons of hornets and is transmitted through contact between individuals in the colony, thus reaching the queen and larvae inside the nest. The action is gradual but very effective on the entire population.
In a second step, twenty-four hours after the first application, the technician returned to observe the complete cessation of activity at the entrance to the nest. The nest was then removed manually, packed in an airtight puncture-resistant bag and disposed of in accordance with environmental standards in force in Quebec. The space between the boards was carefully inspected to ensure that no live larvae remained. To learn more about our hornet extermination methods, visit our dedicated page.
Sealing and long-term prevention
Once the nest was eliminated, our team carried out an assessment of the points of vulnerability of the façade. Several gaps between the wooden planks and around the soffits had sufficient openings for a new queen, looking for a nesting site the following spring, to settle in. We recommended that the owner caulk the entry points to hermetically seal these accesses. This preventive service is one of the most cost-effective measures to prevent recurrence.
We also advised removing any accessible food sources near the patio, including leftovers from outdoor meals and non-airtight compost containers. Hornets are attracted to proteins and sugars, and a regularly frequented terrace is an attractive feeding area. In addition, our extermination team in Contrecœur offers seasonal follow-up visits to detect any new activity in the spring, well before a mature nest forms. This proactive approach avoids emergency interventions in the summer when colonies are at their maximum size.
For homeowners whose land borders a wooded area or a dense hedgerow, as is common in Contrecoeur’s residential neighbourhoods bordered by agricultural land, the risk of annual nesting is higher. Another case in the region is a good example of how an early inspection in early May can greatly simplify the response. Entrusting the surveillance of your property to a specialized team ensures you peace of mind throughout the summer.