Exterminator Takes On NYC Bureaucracy, Removes Infamous Hornet's Nest

A Queens neighborhood's week-long battle with a massive hornet's nest has ended thanks to a local exterminator who took matters into his own hands. Sean Cadenhead, owner of Phase One Exterminating, voluntarily removed the sizable nest after the New York City Parks Department refused to address resident concerns.

The nest, described as the size of two basketballs, was located in a city tree on the corner of Cowles Court and Dry Harbor Road in Middle Village. Residents had appealed to the Parks Department for its removal, a plea that was echoed by Councilman Phil Wong. However, the agency rejected these requests, with a Parks Department employee stating in an email that the bald-faced hornets "play an important role in our ecosystem." The department suggested that residents hire a private professional for relocation and that any work on a city tree would require a permit.

Cadenhead, a 41-year-old Queens resident, learned of the situation and decided to intervene. He arrived at the site on Wednesday morning, introduced himself to residents, and proceeded to spray the nest. "Everything is not always about money — it’s just about being a good New Yorker. You got Superman, Batman and Phase One Exterminating," Cadenhead told The Post.

He estimated the nest housed approximately 400 bald-faced hornets. Cadenhead, wearing full protective gear, spent nearly an hour saturating the nest with pesticide before removing it. The removal brought relief to residents like 79-year-old Betty Cocaro, who expressed gratitude for Cadenhead's actions.

While bald-faced hornets are not typically aggressive unless provoked, their stings can be dangerous for individuals with severe allergies. Cadenhead expressed concern over the potential hazards posed by the nest's proximity to a public walkway, noting the risk of accidental provocation.

The NYC Parks Department did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.