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Wasps

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps are so named because they construct nests made of a papery material, with a single upside-down layer of cells resembling an umbrella. They gather fibers from dead wood and plant stems and mix them with saliva to make a gray/brown papery material with which to construct water-resistant paper nests.

Geographical Region

Paper wasps of various species are found throughout North America. There are 22 species of paper wasps in North America and approximately 700 species worldwide.

Natural Habitat

Paper wasps most often build their nests around homes and other structures, underneath eaves, and on sturdy plants. Paper wasp nests are built from wood fiber and plant matter that the insects chew and form into a comb of hexagonal cells. The cells are exposed and the nest resembles an open umbrella. Mature nests contain up to 200 cells.

Weather Conditions

Paper wasp queens emerge during the early spring thaw, when temperatures reach into the mid-50 degrees during the day. Since paper wasps build water-resistant nests that are usually in a covered structure, rainy, wet weather does not affect their nests as much as it affects ground-nesting yellowjackets. In fall, freezing temperatures will kill all but the queen paper wasps.

Behavior

Paper wasps prey on insects such as caterpillars, flies — and beetle larvae that are fed to their young. The wasps forage during the day and rest at night.

Wasps attack when the nest is disturbed and can sting repeatedly. The stings typically cause pain and swelling around the area of the attack. In some cases serious allergic reactions may occur that can even result in death. Only female wasps can sting.

Paper wasps are semi-social insects that live in colonies consisting of three castes: workers, queens and males. Fertilized queens overwinter and in the spring select a site and begin building a nest.

The queen's eggs are laid in cells and hatch into larvae that develop through several stages. Worker wasps assist in nest building, caring for the young and defending the nest. An average nest may contain as many as 20 to 30 adults. In late summer, queens stop laying eggs. The queen's mated female offspring will seek a protected place to overwinter, but the remainder of the colony won't survive the winter.

Unique Characteristics

Paper wasps are 3/4 to 1 inch long, with an extremely narrow abdomen and black wings. Their body color varies by species.

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Common types of Wasps

Paper Wasp

Paper Wasp

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Golden Paper Wasp

Golden Paper Wasp

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European Paper Wasp

European Paper Wasp

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Red Wasps

Red Wasps

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Wasps are stinging insects that are generally more aggressive than bees and are often attracted to food, sugary drinks, and protein sources. Unlike bees, many wasps can sting multiple times and are more likely to defend their nests if disturbed. One of the most common types of wasp is the paper wasp, known for building nests that look like an open honeycomb.
Wasps often build nests under eaves, inside wall voids, attics, sheds, garages, porch ceilings, and other sheltered areas. If you see a nest that looks like an open, unfinished honeycomb, it's likely a paper wasp nest. If you notice insects that look like wasps coming from a hole in the ground, those are most likely yellowjackets. It's important to identify your pest correctly, because some traps that work for yellowjackets won't work for paper wasps.
Wasp stings can be painful and, for people with allergies, potentially life-threatening. Wasps are most aggressive when protecting their nest, so it’s best to avoid disturbing nests and reduce wasp activity near living spaces with smart pest control solutions.
Wasps are drawn to open food and drinks, garbage, pet food, fallen fruit, and outdoor cooking areas. They also hunt other insects, so areas with high insect activity can attract them as well.
Keep trash tightly sealed, clean up food and drink spills promptly, limit sweet beverages outdoors, and inspect your home for early nest activity. Removing attractants and sealing entry points can help discourage wasps from settling nearby. The best way to reduce wasp populations is to set traps early in the spring, which increases the chances of catching wasp queens before they have a chance to build nests.
The RESCUE! W·H·Y Trap for Wasps, Hornets & Yellowjackets uses a dual-chamber design and attractant to lure wasps into the trap, where they can’t escape. It’s an effective option designed to reduce wasp activity when placed outdoors and away from areas of human activity. ???? RESCUE! W·H·Y Trap — recommended for yards, near trash areas, sheds, or along property edges where wasps are active.
Yes — the RESCUE! TrapStik for Wasps, Mud Daubers & Carpenter Bees uses a visual lure and adhesive surface to trap wasps when they land. It’s especially helpful for areas where wasps frequently fly or land, such as near eaves or outdoor structures. Because the trap relies on a visual attractant, it needs to be placed in close proximity to the area with wasp activity. ???? RESCUE! TrapStik for Wasps, Mud Daubers & Carpenter Bees — useful for targeted control in areas with wasp activity.
Start by removing food attractants and sealing trash. Then place a RESCUE! W·H·Y Trap at least 20–30 feet away from your patio to draw wasps away from people. For areas where wasps land or hover near structures, adding a TrapStik can help intercept them without sprays. TrapStiks are a great option for wasp nests that get established near entrance doors or other areas where people are frequently active.
Position traps that use scented lures away from doors, decks, and seating areas — areas that aren't frequented by human activity, such as near trash bins, fence lines, or tree edges are good spots to try. Keeping distance between traps and people helps redirect wasps away from living spaces. For traps that rely on a visual lure like the Wasp TrapStik, placing the trap in close proximity to the wasp problem is the most effective placement.
Check placement first — traps work best when placed correctly and away from competing food sources. If your trap hasn't caught any wasps after 24 hours, try moving it to a new location. It can take some trial and error to find the most effective spot. If activity is heavy, you may need multiple traps positioned around the perimeter of your yard. Avoid disturbing nests directly and consider professional removal if nests are hard to reach.

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