Pest Library
Paper Wasp
Paper wasps are slender wasps that fly with their long legs dangling and build open, umbrella-shaped combs with clearly visible cells. They favor eaves, porch ceilings, door frames, railings, grills and playground equipment — anywhere sheltered from rain and close to human traffic.
Profile
- Scientific name
- Polistes spp.
- Identification
- Brown to reddish-brown with yellow or reddish markings, narrow waist, long legs trailing in flight. Nest is a single exposed comb on a short stalk.
- Typical size
- Adults about 3/4 to 1 inch.
- Behavior
- Defends the nest when approached within a few feet. Colonies are small, usually a few dozen wasps, and are abandoned at the end of the season.
- Habitat
- Eaves, soffits, porch ceilings, shutters, grills, mailboxes and shrubs.
- Diet
- Caterpillars and other insects for the brood; nectar for adults.
- Lifecycle
- Overwintered queens start nests in spring; colonies peak in late summer and die out in winter.
- Why it matters
- Stings are painful and can be medically serious for people with sting allergies. Never treat a nest you cannot approach safely, and seek immediate medical care for a severe reaction.
- DIY considerations
- Aerosol treatment of small early nests can work, but nests near doorways, high locations or large late-season colonies are best left to a professional.
- Professional considerations
- Service treats and removes nests, then addresses common building locations to reduce rebuilding in the same spots.
Signs of activity
- Open, exposed comb with visible hexagonal cells
- Wasps hovering around a specific eave, rail or door frame
- Repeated nest building in the same sheltered location each year
Prevention
- Inspect eaves, rails and grills in early spring when nests are small
- Knock down new, unoccupied nest starts before colonies grow
- Keep exterior doors closed and screens in good repair
- Store grills and outdoor furniture covered when not in use
Sources
Related information
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