Many times people are stung when they bumble into paper wasp nests hidden in bushes or around homes.Ĭontrol: Since most paper wasps die by the first hard frost, workers found late in the year may not require treatment.
![paper wasp paper wasp](https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_vespoidwasps/images/DSC_1656.jpg)
Though paper wasps do not readily attack people, they will sting if they feel threatened or provoked. Once the larvae have matured, they pupate in their cells and join the colony as an adult. After the eggs hatch, the grub-like immatures are mostly fed other insects, such as caterpillars, that the worker wasps collect. The queen deposits eggs in the comb (cells) on the underside of the nest. These nests are built in protected locations including in shrubs, on tree branches, on porch ceilings, window and door frames, roof overhangs, attic rafters, and under decks, joists or railings. Paper wasps often build umbrella-shaped nests around homesīy scraping and chewing wood into a pasty pulp, paper wasps make paper-like nests in the shape of an umbrella. Eventually, one queen will dominate the others, making them serve as workers for the new colony. In the spring, several queens commonly get together to start a new nest. Queens survive the winter by nesting in protected places such as under the bark of trees, or in cracks and crevices around structures. Habits: During the winter, most paper wasps die, except new queens. Many are brownish with yellow markings, though a few species have reddish markings. The most common paper wasps are about 5/8 to 3/4 inch in length. Though they are not aggressive, paper wasps can sting, making them a concern to many people when these wasps build their nests in or around homes.Īppearance: There are many different types of paper wasps with different habits and life cycles.
![paper wasp paper wasp](https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_vespoidwasps/images/DSC_6327a.jpg)
![paper wasp paper wasp](https://cdn.orkin.com/images/wasps/EuropeanPaperWasp_01.jpg)
Unfortunately, paper wasps will also feed on fruits, damaging their appearance and will scrape wood from houses to make their nests. Like many other social wasps, paper wasps feed on many insect pests of gardens. If growing vegetables and flowers is your hobby, you may consider paper wasps as welcomed guests.