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What are wasps?
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 yellow jackets and hornets, but there are more wasp species, making proper identification a key factor in picking the right treatment method. If you're unsure how to handle the problem, searching for wasp nest removal near me can connect you with professionals who can safely and effectively eliminate the nest.
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!
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.
What do wasps look like?
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:
- Size: 1/3 inch to two inches, depending on the species.
- Color: Striking combinations of yellow, red, brown, or black.
- Body: A pointed lower abdomen distinctly separated from the thorax, giving them their characteristic "wasp-waist" appearance.
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.
Interesting wasp facts
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:
- Natural pest controllers: Wasps help manage pest populations by preying on insects like caterpillars and flies.
- Sting multiple times: Unlike bees, most wasps can sting repeatedly without losing their stinger.
- Diverse species: There are over 30,000 known species of wasps, from social insects like yellowjackets to solitary predators.
- Parasitic behavior: Some wasps lay their eggs inside or on other insects, which their larvae consume as they grow.
- Innovative builders: Paper wasps create their nests using chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva, forming a material similar to paper.
- Parasitic behavior: Certain wasps exhibit parasitic tendencies, laying their eggs on or inside other insects. As the larvae develop, they consume the host, playing a crucial part in natural pest control.
- Innovative nest builders: Paper wasps construct intricate nests by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva, producing a material remarkably similar to paper.
- Pollination partners: While often overlooked, wasps contribute to pollination. Some species, such as fig wasps, are essential for the reproduction of specific plants, including figs, which rely exclusively on their pollination.
Wasp species
There are many different species of wasps throughout the world. Below are four of the most common in the United States.
Paper wasps
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.
Yellow jackets
Yellow jackets (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
Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are larger, with workers up to 3/4 inch long. They are an aerial yellow jacket so their nests are found only hanging from tree branches or structural overhangs.
European hornets
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.
While it is most likely you'll come across the wasps above, there are other wasps that you may encounter. Cicada killer wasps and northern giant hornets (also known as the murder hornet and formerly the Asian giant hornet) get a lot of press, but are less common. If you think you're seeing these wasps, give us a call.
What you need to know about wasps
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.
Colony
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?
Lifecycle
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?
Diet
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.
Nests
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.
- Paper wasp nests are shaped like an upside-down umbrella and rarely get larger than six to eight inches across. They are home to a few dozen paper wasps.
- Yellow jacket nests are made of chewed wood fibers that envelop the nest into an upside-down teardrop shape. They start off at about the size of a golf ball and can get up to a few feet across by the fall.
- Hornets build their nests in tree branches and under eaves. Hornet nests can grow to be the size of a basketball, but they grow in proportion to the colony inside.
Learn more about wasp nests:
Wasp stings
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.
Read more about wasp stings:
Frequently asked questions
Are wasps aggressive?
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.
Learn more: Where do wasps go in the winter?
How did I get wasps?
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.
Learn more: Take back your home from stinging insects
What happens when wasps sting you?
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.
Learn more about stings: The essential guide to wasp.
What kills wasps instantly?
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. Contact us if you have wasps on your property.
How many eyes do wasps have?
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.
How long can a wasp live?
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.
How many times can a wasp sting?
Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times. Their smooth stingers don’t get stuck, allowing them to defend themselves or their nests repeatedly.