How to tell if it is a hornet?

How to tell if it is a hornet involves looking at size, coloration, body shape, and nest type, as hornets are larger than many wasps and have distinct features. Hornets are generally larger than yellow jackets and paper wasps, about 1 to 1.5 inches long for bald-faced hornets and European hornets, and up to 2 inches for Asian giant hornets, with more robust, thicker bodies compared to slender paper wasps. Coloration helps, bald-faced hornets are black and white with white face, European hornets are brown and yellow striped with reddish brown thorax, and Asian giant hornets have orange head and black and yellow striped abdomen. Hornets have less constricted waist than paper wasps and shorter, less dangling legs in flight. Nests are large, enclosed, paper nests with single entrance, often football shaped, built in trees, shrubs, under eaves, or in wall cavities, unlike yellow jacket nests that are often underground or in wall cavities and paper wasp nests that are open with visible cells. Behavior, hornets are social and defend nests vigorously and can sting multiple times, and they are active day, less active at night. To tell if it is a hornet, check size, color, body robustness, and nest, and if insect is large, 1 inch plus, with black and white or brown and yellow and large paper nest, it is likely hornet, and you should avoid disturbing and contact professional pest control if nest near home.