Wasps are often mistaken for bees or other stinging insects. Knowing the different types of wasps, their characteristics, and understanding their behaviors is the first step in proper identification. Each stinging insect species requires a different treatment method, so adequate identification plays a crucial role in controlling them. That’s where our guide to wasps comes in.
This wasp guide will help you understand how wasps behave, when wasps become problematic, what to do when they invade your space, and how they thrive and survive among human populations.
Western Exterminator technicians are trained to handle wasp infestations. Let us help you get rid of wasps today.
There are many species of wasps throughout the world. Below are four of the most common in the United States.
Paper wasps (Polistes spp.) can be identified by their upside-down umbrella-shaped nest. They are roughly one inch long and are often brightly colored, which discourages any would-be predators or nest raiders.
Yellow jackets (Vespula and Dolichovespula spp) are black with yellow markings and range in size from ⅜ to ⅝ inch long, with queens being significantly larger. They nest underground, inside structural voids, or hanging from tree branches or structural overhangs.
Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) can get up to ¾ of an inch long and are primarily black in color with a white face. They are a relative to the yellow jacket, so their nests are found only hanging from tree branches or structural overhangs.
European hornets (Vespa crabro) are brown with yellow stripes and are the largest hornet in North America, reaching lengths of 1 ½ inches. Their nests are found only in voids such as hollow trees or hollow soffits.
While these are the most common wasps, there are other wasps that you should be aware of in the western U.S. Check out some more of our resources:
Samurai wasps: Used to control stink bugs
Understanding some more detailed information about wasps, like their characteristics and habits, can help you identify the type of wasp on your property.
Wasp colonies are made up of three main castes: queens, workers, and males. A single queen starts the colony in spring after emerging from winter hibernation. She searches for a safe nesting spot and begins building a small nest where she lays her first eggs. These hatch into workers who take over the tasks of foraging, expanding the nest, and caring for the young.
As the season progresses, the colony grows rapidly, sometimes housing hundreds or even thousands of wasps. Workers defend the nest, hunt for food, and support the queen. Late in the season, new queens and males are produced. The new queens leave to mate and eventually hibernate, while the original queen and remaining colony die off as temperatures drop.
The lifecycle of a wasp begins as an egg, but how it develops depends on the type of wasp. Social wasps, like yellow jackets and hornets, follow a structured colony lifecycle: the queen lays eggs that become sterile female workers, and later in the season, new queens and males are produced to mate and start new colonies.
Solitary wasps do not form colonies. Instead, each female builds a nest and lays a small number of eggs, often leaving them with paralyzed prey for food. Parasitoid wasps, a subgroup of solitary wasps, lay their eggs directly into or on a host insect, which the larvae then feed on as they grow.
Most wasps are omnivorous. They will feed on a variety of foods and are attracted to sugary substances, like wine and nectar, and prefer foods that are high in protein, such as insects and spiders.
Learn more: What do wasps eat?
Learn more: How to prevent wasp nests on your porch
Wasps serve many important functions in the natural world. Many wasps prey on common pests like caterpillars and aphids, helping to keep garden and agricultural pests in check. Some species, such as fig wasps, also contribute to pollination, which supports plant growth and biodiversity.
Wasps are most commonly known for their stings. Wasps use their stinger as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened or when they are agitated. Their venom can paralyze their prey and can cause pain. This forces whatever is bothering them to leave them alone.
A wasp sting can be very painful, and sometimes life-threatening to those who are allergic to them. Once stung, the skin around the sting may become swollen, red, and painful. Allergic reactions can cause severe swelling and anaphylaxis. You should seek medical attention if you have extreme swelling or are having trouble breathing.
Learn more:
Wasps are nature's natural pest controllers. They prey on insects and parasites that can cause damage to our crops and other vegetation. Some wasp species are efficient pollinators.
Learn more: Everything to know about stinging pests
Wasps are aggressive when they feel threatened or annoyed. They become more aggressive at the end of the summer and the fall as they prepare for the winter months and protect their queen.
Unfortunately, it can. A dead wasp emits a pheromone that alerts the rest of the colony of danger. Instead of fleeing their nest, the wasps will come out and attack to protect their home and their queen.
Learn more: 10 must-know facts about wasps
It’s likely that a wasp stung you because it felt threatened or agitated. This can happen when you get close to their nest or are waving your arms at them, trying to shoo them trying to shoo them away. Rarely do wasps sting for no reason.
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