Do hornets bother you if you don't bother them?

Hornets generally will not bother you if you don't bother them, as they are not aggressive in sense of seeking out humans to sting, but they can be defensive and will sting if they feel threatened, if their nest is disturbed, or if they are provoked, and social hornets like bald-faced hornets and European hornets are more defensive than solitary wasps. Hornets are predators that hunt insects and search for sugars, and they usually ignore humans unless they perceive threat to themselves or colony, so if you leave them alone, do not swat, and stay away from nest, they will typically fly away and not bother you. However, hornets are attracted to sweet foods, drinks, and overripe fruits outdoors, especially in late summer, so they may come near you at picnics seeking sugars, which can feel like bothering but is actually foraging, not aggression. If you accidentally get too close to nest, even without intending to bother, hornets may perceive you as threat and become defensive and sting. So hornets will generally not bother you if you don't bother them, but they may come close when foraging for food, and they will defend nest if you approach within several feet. To avoid being bothered, keep food and sweet drinks covered outdoors, seal trash cans, avoid wearing strong perfumes, move slowly near hornets, do not disturb nests, and if nest is near home and poses danger, contact professional pest control for safe removal.