Wasps can be aggressive and territorial. Knowing the different wasp species and understanding their characteristics and behaviors will help in identifying which wasp species is invading your property and what wasp control method should be put into place. If you’re experiencing a problem with wasps on your property, contact us.
Wasps are winged insects known for their slender bodies, bright yellow and black markings, and their often-feared stingers. Most common in the late summer and early fall, they are famous for their aggressive behavior and intense stings.
The most well-known types of wasps are yellowjackets and hornets, but there are more wasp species, making proper identification a key factor in picking the right treatment method.
Unlike bees, wasps are predatory by nature and play a crucial role in controlling pest populations, feeding on a variety of insects and larvae. While some wasps are social and live in colonies, others are solitary, building nests in hidden corners of nature—or even in your backyard.
Wasps are sleek, slender insects with smooth bodies, unlike the fuzzy appearance of bees.
Most wasps are easily recognized by their bright yellow and black stripes, though some species display shades of red, brown, or metallic hues. They have a narrow "waist" that separates their thorax from their abdomen, and their long, tapered wings fold neatly along their bodies when at rest.
Equipped with sharp mandibles for feeding and a stinger for defense, wasps are a striking combination of elegance and efficiency in the insect world. Some key features of wasps include:
These physical traits make wasps easily recognizable and highlight their sleek, aerodynamic design. Learn more about other types of wasps in our article – Identify different types of wasps.
Wasps are more than just their fearsome stingers—they have a unique role to play in nature. Here are some cool facts about wasps that make them so interesting:
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Yes, wasps do pollinate, though they're not usually as efficient at it as bees. As adult wasps feed on nectar, they pick up and transfer pollen between flowers, making them what scientists call "incidental" pollinators. Studies have identified more than 100 orchid species, along with figs, that depend specifically on wasps for pollination.
Wasps do more for our ecosystems than most people realize. As well as pollinating plants, wasps act as natural pest controllers, hunting insects such as caterpillars and aphids to feed their young, helping keep garden and crop pests in check without added chemicals. And researchers have found that some wasp species also contribute to seed dispersal and decomposition, supporting a healthy, balanced environment.
While wasps play a helpful ecological role, that doesn't mean you should leave an active nest alone if it's near your home. If you're dealing with hornets or paper wasps building nests in high-traffic spots, our technicians can help identify the species and recommend the next steps.
There are many different species of wasps throughout the world. Below are four of the most common in the United States.
Paper wasps (Polistes spp.) are approximately one inch long and are often brightly colored to discourage any would-be predators or nest raiders. They can be identified by their upside-down umbrella-shaped nest that is not surrounded by a paper shell.
Yellowjackets (Vespula and Dolichovespula spp) range in size from 3/8 to 5/8 inch long, with queens being significantly larger. Their nests may be underground, inside a structural void, or hanging from a tree branch or structural overhang.
Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are larger, with workers up to 3/4 inch long. They are an aerial yellowjacket so their nests are found only hanging from tree branches or structural overhangs.
European hornets (Vespa crabro) are the largest well-established hornet in North America, reaching lengths of one to one and a half inches. Their nests are found only in voids such as hollow trees or hollow soffits.
Cicada killer wasps are solitary wasps and among the largest in the U.S., with females growing up to 2 inches long. Despite their intimidating size, they're not aggressive toward people and nest alone in burrows in the ground rather than in colonies.
Mud daubers are slender, solitary wasps that build distinctive tube-shaped nests out of mud, often tucked under eaves, in garages, or on walls. They're generally not aggressive and rarely sting unless directly handled.
While it is most likely you'll come across the wasps above, there are other wasps that you may encounter. Northern giant hornets (also known as the murder hornet and formerly the Asian giant hornet) are less common. If you have a wasp problem, give us a call.
Wasp nests and their behavior and characteristics can vary depending on the species and if they are classified as social or solitary. Understanding the differences can help you in identifying which type of wasp is on your property.
Social wasp colonies have a queen, who can reproduce and lay eggs, and many worker wasps. Some workers are fertilized and can reproduce, while others die off. Colonies may consist of anywhere from 25 to over 100 wasps throughout the season. Most social colonies are annual and die off at the end of the season.
Learn more: What is the purpose of wasps?
Every wasp starts out as an egg, but the method by which they are born depends on the species. A female social wasp will fertilize the eggs and they will hatch as workers, resulting in more reproductive males and females being born. Non-fertilized eggs will hatch into males and cannot reproduce. In the winter, the males die and the females hibernate and build their nests to start the process over again.
Solitary wasps lay a smaller amount of eggs since they have tinier nests, and parasitoids use a host, which is typically a spider, to lay their eggs and reproduce.
Learn more: How long do wasps live?
Wasps are attracted to sugary foods and foods that are high in protein. Most wasps are omnivorous and feed on a variety of different foods. They will feed on insects and spiders, but also love sugary and sweet substances, like fruit and nectar.
Most wasp species build their nests away from the elements, which is why they are often found in overhangs, eaves, roofs of houses, and trees. Wasps prefer to build their nests high in hard-to-reach areas to stay safe from predators.
Wasp species build different types of nests.
Learn more about wasp nests:
Wasps are very well-known for their painful stings. They sting when they feel threatened or when they are agitated. They will use their stinger as a defense mechanism. Their venom delivers an extreme amount of pain that is strong enough to make whatever is bothering them leave them alone. The venom can even paralyze their prey.
Wasp stings can be dangerous. The skin around the sting may become swollen and very painful to touch. Allergic reactions can cause severe swelling and other life-threatening symptoms. If you have extreme swelling or trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
Get rid of waspsWasps don't fly south or truly disappear; most of the colony simply dies off. As temperatures drop and food becomes scarce, worker wasps and the original queen die out, usually by the time the first hard frost hits.
The exception is newly mated queens. These queens seek out sheltered spots, like tree bark, attics, or wall cavities, to overwinter in a low-activity state until spring. Once temperatures warm back up, typically in April or May, each surviving queen emerges to start a brand-new colony and build a fresh nest rather than reusing an old one.
If you spot wasp activity indoors during the colder months, it's often just a queen that's found her way into a warm space, but repeated sightings could mean a bigger issue.
Wasps can be tricky to deal with on your own, especially once a nest is established near your home or business. Our wasp control technicians know how to identify the species you're dealing with and recommend the right plan to help protect your property. Get in touch with us today.
Wasps are aggressive when they feel threatened or when they are agitated. They become more aggressive later in the summer and into the fall as they are preparing for the winter and working to protect their queen.
Wasps search for food and the perfect place to build their nest. If you have wasps around your home, your property might offer one or both of those things. If wasps are getting inside your home, they are probably entering through tiny openings in the structure of your house or in your screens. Repairing these openings will lower your risks of having wasps indoors.
When a wasp stings you it injects venom into you. This venom causes the pain you feel which is the wasp’s defense mechanism. Wasp stings are painful at first, but you may not see a mark right away. Soon after, the area may turn red and have some swelling. If swelling becomes severe, seek medical attention.
Unlike bees, wasps do not die after they sting you. Their stinger is designed to be used multiple times.
There are DIY wasp control methods, however, we do not recommend attempting these methods to kill wasps. Wasps can cause severe pain with their stingers, so controlling them should be left to the professionals who have the right tools and equipment to eradicate them.
Wasps have five eyes—two large compound eyes for wide-angle vision and three smaller ocelli (simple eyes) that help them detect light and motion.
The lifespan of a wasp varies depending on the species and its role within the colony. Worker wasps typically live for about 12–22 days, as their main job is to forage and protect the nest.
On the other hand, queen wasps can live much longer—up to a year—especially if they overwinter in sheltered locations to start a new colony in the spring.
Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times. Their smooth stingers don’t get stuck, allowing them to defend themselves or their nests repeatedly.
Yes, several bird species prey on wasps, including woodpeckers, swifts, and swallows.
Yes, every wasp colony is led by a queen. She's responsible for laying eggs and starting the nest each spring, while worker wasps build the nest and gather food. Only new, mated queens survive the winter to start colonies of their own.
No, wasps don't make honey. Unlike bees, they don't store food for winter, they feed on insects, nectar, and sugary substances as they find them. This is one reason most of the colony dies off once the weather turns cold and food becomes scarce.
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