How to identify and treat paper wasps

Why does it seem like paper wasps know where your front door is? They always seem to make their papery nests in the most inconvenient of places. Every time you open the door, you wonder if you’ll get an unpleasant sting for crossing the wrong territory.

Paper wasps are semi-social wasps that create their nests from a paper-like substance. They create the paper nests by mixing dead wood and plant stems with their saliva. The combs are open and facing down, looking very much like an umbrella. The nest will often rest on a stem-like structure called the petiole of the nest.

Fortunately, paper wasps aren’t as aggressive as their closely related yellowjackets or hornets, but if you threaten their nest, there is a good chance they’ll defend it with a nasty sting.

Paper wasps belong to the genus Polistes and have a very distinct body shape with long legs and a long abdomen. Depending on the species, they can have different markings, but they typically have some combination of black, brown, and yellow. When looking from above, the thorax has a V-shaped marking starting from the head and moving out to the wings.

To identify a paper wasp infestation, look for nests attached to sheltered areas like eaves, ceilings, or plant branches. If you see many wasps flying around your home or garden, it might mean they've made a nest nearby.

How big are paper wasps?

Paper wasps can range from ½ to 1.5 inches in length.

What other wasps look like paper wasps?

The name paper wasp has also been applied to some hornets and yellowjackets, as they, too, make nests out of a paper-like material. However, yellowjackets have thicker bodies, and hornets build larger, enclosed nests.

Paper wasps are found throughout North America, with 22 species identified so far. They like to make their nests under some sort of cover or eaves. They can be found on or near plants with caterpillars or other insects. Look for them in attics, under roof eaves, behind shutters, or in bushes and trees around your yard.

The best way to get rid of paper wasps without chemicals includes:

• Removing nests during early morning or late evening when wasps are less active.
• Using a hose to knock down nests from afar.
• Placing decoy nests around your property, as wasps are territorial and won't build near other nests.

After you’ve removed the nests, it’s a good idea to spray an insect barrier around your home to keep paper wasps from wanting to settle back in. Pestie offers a DIY solution to keep pests out around and in your home. Our easy-to-use bundle makes pest control a breeze!