Common types of wasps in the Western US

Wasps are often difficult to identify. Not only are there several different types of wasps that look similar, but bees, hornets, and wasps can be hard to differentiate. However, hornets and wasps are typically more aggressive than bees and can sting a person multiple times if they feel threatened, which means quick identification is essential.

Knowing which stinging insect you have in your yard can save you a lot of pain. Most people will see a nest in their yard and decide to take action, even if it could potentially put them in danger. It's important to determine what you are dealing with before taking action.

This page is designed to help you quickly identify which species you might be dealing with and provide guidance on what to do and what to avoid when encountering them.

If you still cannot determine the type of wasp in your yard, contact our experts for assistance with wasp control and nest removal. The most common wasp species in the Western United States, which we’ll cover in this guide, are:

• Bald-faced hornets
• European hornets
• Mud dauber wasps
• Paper wasps
• Tarantula hawk wasps
• Yellow jackets

Bald-faced hornet identification

Bald-faced hornets are one of the most aggressive types of wasps in the USA. That’s right: despite their name, bald-faced hornets are actually wasps. As social insects, they live in colonies, defending their nests aggressively. They feed on nectar, other insects, and sweet fruits, foods, and drinks. They are especially aggressive in the fall when their food supplies begin to deplete.

Bald-faced hornet habitat and nests

In the spring, the queen builds a nest from chewed wood. She feeds the larvae protein from flower nectar and other insects. It takes a month for the first workers to emerge, but they get right down to work, taking over the feeding and nest building so the queen can concentrate on her egg laying. 

Their nests are gray and contain many compartments, with a papery outer covering. They hang near the ground or very high, in trees, shrubs, vines, overhangs, sheds, or utility poles—in open or well-hidden spots. Nests can be as long as 24 inches and can have a diameter of approximately 14 inches, or roughly the size of a basketball.

At its peak, the nest will be buzzing with 100-400 workers. When the colony begins to decline, larger cells are built to raise new queens and males that will leave the nest to mate.

Behaviors and damage caused by bald-faced hornets

As stored food supplies lessen in the fall, the wasps become more aggressive in their search for sweet, sugary foods and drinks. Although these stinging insects don’t intend to sting people, their persistence, paired with people's reactions to swat or run away, often triggers a less than favorable result.

When a wasp senses danger, it will release a pheromone alerting the others in the colony to attack, so it’s best to avoid any sudden movement and remain calm. Bald-faced hornets can be especially dangerous because they can sting multiple times. For people allergic to bee, wasp, and hornet stings, their venom can prove to be lethal.

Prevention and control of bald-faced hornets

Preventing bald-faced hornets may be difficult, especially when they decide to build their nests near high-traffic areas like patios, decks, doorways, sidewalks, paths, or driveways.

Removing any stinging insect nest is dangerous. If you need advice about a stinging insect nest in your yard or near your home, our stinging insect control experts can recommend the safest and most effective solutions for keeping you and your family out of harm’s way.

European hornet identification

Hornets are actually a species of wasp known as Vespa. With approximately 20 hornet species in the world, the majority of them reside in the tropical regions of Asia but are also found across regions in Africa, Europe, and North America, where they are known as European hornets.

European hornet habitat and nests

As omnivores, hornets consume insects such as bees and flies as well as tree sap and leaves. Like bees, they are also pollinators. Using tree bark or plants mixed with their saliva, they create a paper pulp-like material to build their nests. With one entry hole on the outside and several layers of comb chambers on the inside, they build up a papery covering that encapsulates the nest.

Although they prefer to build their nests in dark locations, if a dark location is not available, they will add additional layers to the outside of the nest to help keep the light out. European hornets can nest in the ground, in tree cavities, within walls, and in areas where foot traffic is low and resources are nearby.

Behaviors and damage caused by European hornets

With an average hornet nest accommodating 200 to 400 workers by late summer and guards on the alert for potential threats to the colony, caution should be used if a nest is located near a path, entryway, or high-traffic area to avoid being stung. No one wants to be stung, especially people who are allergic to wasp stings. Besides protecting their colony, hornets can also be aggressive around food sources.

If the nest is not in close proximity to your home and does not pose an immediate danger, then it is best to leave it alone. Hornet colonies will not survive the winter. Workers die by late fall, and a few fertile females will leave the nest to seek shelter, either in their natural environment or inside manmade structures. In the spring, the queens will establish a new colony.

Prevention and control of European hornets

A thorough inspection in the fall, once hornet activity has decreased, or in the spring, before new colonies become established, can help deter hornets from building nests in wall voids, attics, sheds, or any other structures or buildings. Seal up any cracks, crevices, or holes you notice, and repair or replace torn screens. This can help minimize potential hornet entry points.

If you do happen to discover a hornet's nest inside a wall void or tight area, refrain from sealing it up. Hornets will find a way out, possibly by chewing through your drywall. Don’t try to tackle the removal or treatment of potentially dangerous stinging pests alone. Western’s hornet control technicians are here to help. Our experts are trained to safely and effectively treat and remove hornets and their nests.

Mud dauber wasp identification

Mud daubers are known as the least aggressive type of wasp in the USA. Though they may look intimidating, mud dauber wasps are typically harmless and great for spider control.

Mud dauber wasp habitat and nests

Mud daubers live up to their name and create their nests by constructing tubes out of mud. Their nests may be found on the sides of rough-surfaced buildings, under eaves, in garages, attics, and sheds, or in tight, sheltered spaces. If there’s a nice supply of mud nearby, you will most likely encounter a mud dauber nest on your property.

They can prey on spiders (such as black widows) to provide food for their offspring. The females inject the spider with venom, paralyzing it and allowing it to safely handle the spider while placing it in a cell. Each cell containing a spider and a single egg is then sealed with mud. Once this is done, the female abandons the nest. The larvae will emerge in the spring as adults.

Behaviors and damage caused by mud dauber wasps

Mud daubers are solitary wasps, which means they spend most of their time preparing nests and hunting for food for their young. Unlike social wasps, they don’t have a colony and are not aggressive about protecting their nests. If their nest is destroyed, they will most likely build another one somewhere else. They mainly use their stingers for hunting prey. Mud daubers typically only sting out of self-defense and can be beneficial for controlling other pests and spiders.

Prevention and control of mud dauber wasps

Mud daubers are generally harmless. If a mud dauber nest is not in close proximity to a high-traffic area and does not pose an immediate threat to someone who is allergic to wasp stings, it is best to leave it alone.

If nests become unsightly or you fear the thought of any stinging insect buzzing around, their nests can be removed by a professional. If you need help with mud daubers, one of our stinging insect control technicians would be happy to provide you with a safe and effective solution.

Paper wasp identification

Paper wasps can easily be identified by the appearance of their inverted, umbrella-shaped nest that is held by a single comb. Unlike a hornet’s nest that is completely encased, a paper wasp’s nest is exposed. Common paper wasp species are the European paper wasp and the red wasp.

Paper wasp habitat and nests

Paper wasps construct their nests on twigs and branches of trees and shrubs. They will also readily construct their nests on porch ceilings, under eaves, and in attic rafters. Paper wasp nests are water-resistant and made of gray or brown paper mache-like material. Their nests are fairly small and typically contain less than 100 wasps.

Behaviors and damage of paper wasps

Paper wasp nests may not cause structural damage to buildings or homes; however, their ability to sting makes them a threat to people. Paper wasps will sting when they feel their nest is threatened and can sting multiple times.

Prevention and control of paper wasps

It is important to treat a wasp nest as soon as it’s discovered. To avoid the risk of painful wasp stings (and possible allergic reactions), we strongly advise against removing a wasp nest on your own. You could cause serious injury to yourself or others if you provoke the wasps in the nest. Western’s wasp control technicians are specially trained to safely and effectively treat and remove wasp nests. Call today to find out what solutions are available for keeping you and your family protected against these stinging insects.

Tarantula hawk wasp identification

The tarantula hawk wasp is a solitary wasp and one of the largest wasps in the nation. Found in the deserts of the southwest United States, these wasps can exceed one and a half inches and even grow to be two inches long.

Different wasp species possess different stings; the tarantula hawk wasps possess a powerful sting used to subdue tarantula spiders. As frightening as this sounds, these wasps are not typically aggressive toward people. Their stings are rare, but they have been documented among the most painful of any insect in the world.

Tarantula hawk wasp habitat and nest

The tarantula hawk wasp is found in a variety of desert habitats such as shrublands, grasslands, and arroyos. They are often seen around flowers or running across the ground. Tarantula hawk wasps tend to live alone and many do not build nests at all. Instead, they burrow into the soil or use natural cavities or burrows of other animals and insects.

Behavior and damage caused by tarantula hawk wasps

Most hunting occurs at dusk, and adult tarantula hawk wasps spend the day feeding on and around flowers. When the wasp paralyzes a tarantula, it will bury the tarantula into the burrow along with its eggs. Once hatched, the larvae feed on tarantulas that the female has paralyzed and provided.

Male tarantula hawk wasps do not have stingers. Females do but will typically not sting unless provoked. The sting of this wasp is known as the most painful sting in the world.

Yellow jacket identification

Known as picnic pests, yellow jackets are relentlessly aggressive when sweet drinks and grilled meats are on the menu. Regardless of where their nests are, these stinging insects seem to appear out of nowhere, as one quickly becomes a dozen or more. They will travel 1,000 feet from their nests to make sure they are not missing out on a free meal, which can make them very difficult to control.

Yellow jacket habitat and nests

Yellow jacket nests are mainly built in the ground; however, you may also find nesting sites in hollowed out trees, under eaves, in attics, and in wall voids.  

As social insects, a yellow jacket colony is made up of a queen, males (for mating), and sterile female workers. A colony may contain 1,000 or more workers. Workers will protect their nest aggressively, attacking anything that is perceived to be a threat.

Behaviors and damage caused by yellow jackets

Yellow jackets seen buzzing around your property do not necessarily indicate that you have a nest on your property. However, it can indicate that there is one nearby and that something has gotten their attention. Whether it is other insects, colorful clothing, perfume, sugary drinks, or grilled foods—they are either foraging or scavenging. 

In spring, yellow jackets will seek out protein sources, mostly insects, to feed to developing larvae. Come fall, when the larvae have grown into adults and food sources begin to deplete, they shift to scavenging mode, seeking out sugary substances as a food source. During this time of the year, yellow jackets are especially aggressive. With their ability to sting repeatedly, and in abundant numbers, this can make yellow jacket nests especially dangerous to treat and remove.

Prevention and control of yellow jackets

Avoiding cookouts and outdoor activities during the height of yellow jacket season (late summer to early fall) is a safe strategy but not the best solution. There are several steps you can take to help reduce yellow jackets from invading your outdoor space. While proactive measures are most effective in the early spring, before the establishment of colonies, preventative measures work best in the summer and fall, after colonies are established.

Proactive measures (early spring)

• Look for any holes, cracks, or crevices on the outside of any buildings or structures around your property and seal them up. 
• Repair or replace screens on windows and doors. 
• Remove any old, abandoned nests. 
• Fill in abandoned rodent burrows or holes around the yard. 
• If possible, fill in tree hollows.

Preventative measures (summer/fall)

• Remove pet food, if kept outside.
• Pick up rotting fruit around fruit trees.
• Avoid wearing perfumes or heavy scents.
• Set up yellow jacket traps away from outdoor spaces.

By late fall, yellow jacket colonies have stopped growing. If the winter temperatures are cold enough, colonies will die off. However, in areas where winters are mild, colonies can survive several seasons and become quite large.

Although these proactive and preventative measures can help reduce the amount of yellow jackets around your property, they will not eradicate the entire colony. For yellow jacket extermination, it is best to call a professional. Our stinging insect control technicians are professionally trained to safely and effectively treat and remove yellow jacket nests.

Don’t risk being stung. Give Western a call today to learn more about our stinging insect control solutions.

Wasp control with Western Exterminator

If you need help with a wasp infestation, contact our experts straight away. Western Exterminator's wasp control professionals are trained to safely and effectively handle all types of wasps, helping to keep your home and yard free of pests.