Sounds like the title for a bad sci-fi movie, but a few weeks ago i first saw, outside our back door at night, the largest bee-like looking insect i have ever seen. It was several times the size of a normal yellowjack (i'm not exaggerating), easily an inch long, and very scary-looking. So you can imagine how i felt a few days later when one got inside the house! It buzzed around for the better part of half an hour while i tried to be brave and get close enough to trap it so i could release it outside. Since then i've seen a few others in the backyard, and they seem to be particularly attracted to lights outside at night. (picture courtesy of the Carolina Channel)

After a little internet research, it fits the description of the European giant hornet (the only true hornet in the United States). This website shows crazy people trying to convince us hornets are really peaceful. But somehow the thought of a whole nestful out there somewhere is a little unsettling.