hornets

[millipede]

My family and I were over a local homeschool family's house looking at some books to buy and I was told of a hornets nest in the yard. Of course I just had to go take a look. Here's a couple pictures of it.
I would estimate this was at least 18 inches tall. It was massive. I didn't get close enough to measure it of course but I can promise that my estimate is not exaggerated. Oh, I was told that the husband wants to cut it down and save it once it is cold enough and the hornets die off. I did read online today that once it is winter and cold enough all of the hornets will die. Well, before they all die they will raise a few males and females so they can leave the nest, breed, and hibernate until next Spring when they will start over with a new nest.



and here's a hornet at the entrance...