Paper Wasps
(Polistes spp.)
Slender wasps that build small, open-celled paper nests under eaves and overhangs.
Overview
Paper wasps are common stinging insects in Bowling Green. They build distinctive open-faced, umbrella-shaped nests made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. These nests are frequently found under eaves, deck railings, porch ceilings, and inside grills and mailboxes. Paper wasps are generally not aggressive away from their nest but will sting repeatedly to defend it if they feel threatened. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Appearance
Paper wasps are slender, about 3/4 to 1 inch long, with a distinctly narrow waist. They are brownish with yellow or reddish markings, depending on the species. Their legs are long and dangle visibly during flight, which helps distinguish them from yellow jackets. Their wings are dark and fold lengthwise when at rest.
Habitat
Paper wasps build their nests in sheltered locations that are protected from rain. Common nest sites include under eaves, porch ceilings, deck railings, window frames, door frames, inside grills, mailboxes, playground equipment, and behind shutters. Nests are relatively small (usually 3 to 5 inches across) and consist of a single layer of open hexagonal cells.
Diet
Adult paper wasps feed on nectar and sweet liquids. They are also important predators — they capture caterpillars, flies, and other soft-bodied insects to feed to their developing larvae. This makes them beneficial for garden pest control when nests are not in high-traffic areas.
Lifecycle
Fertilized queens overwinter in protected spaces like attics, wall voids, and under bark. In spring, queens emerge and begin building new nests and laying eggs. The first generation of workers takes over nest-building and foraging duties. Colonies peak in late summer with 20 to 75 workers. In fall, new queens and males mate, and the colony dies off — only mated queens survive the winter.
Signs of Infestation
- !Small, umbrella-shaped paper nests visible under eaves or porch ceilings
- !Wasps flying to and from a fixed location on the home's exterior
- !Wasps hovering around doorways, windows, or outdoor eating areas
- !Finding overwintering queens indoors during late fall or early spring
Prevention Tips
- ✓Inspect under eaves, deck railings, and overhangs in early spring and remove small starter nests
- ✓Seal cracks and openings in soffits, attic vents, and around window trim
- ✓Keep food and drinks covered during outdoor gatherings
- ✓Paint or stain bare wood surfaces, which are more attractive for nest building
Professional Treatment
Professional treatment involves carefully treating the nest with a residual product in the evening when wasps are least active, then removing the nest the following day. For nests in wall voids or soffits, dust formulations may be used. Preventive treatments in early spring can deter queens from establishing nests on the home. Multiple treatments through the season may be needed for homes with recurring problems.
Did You Know?
- •Paper wasps can recognize individual faces of other wasps in their colony.
- •They chew wood fibers into a pulp to construct their papery nests — essentially making paper.
- •Overwintering queens can sometimes be found in large groups of 20 or more in attics.
- •They are considered beneficial insects because they prey heavily on garden caterpillars.
3/4 to 1 inch
Brown with yellow or reddish markings
6
Slender waist, long legs that dangle in flight
Umbrella wasp
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Other Stinging Insects in Our Library
Yellow Jackets
Aggressive, ground-nesting wasps with black-and-yellow bands that are attracted to food at outdoor events.
Bald-Faced Hornets
Large, black-and-white hornets that build large, enclosed paper nests in trees and on buildings.
Mud Daubers
Solitary wasps that build distinctive tube-shaped mud nests on walls and under overhangs.
Carpenter Bees
Large, bumblebee-like bees that bore perfectly round holes into wood decks, fascia, and eaves.