Paper wasp facts and information

Paper wasps are found throughout North America and thrive in areas with moderate climates. They prefer to build their paper-like nests in sheltered locations that offer protection from the elements. Common nesting sites include:

• Under eaves and roof overhangs
• Porch ceilings and covered patios
• Inside attics, sheds, or garages
• On tree branches and shrubs
• Around window frames and door frames 

Paper wasps have a varied diet that changes throughout their life cycle. Adult wasps primarily feed on nectar from flowers, making them occasional pollinators. They also consume sweet substances like fruit juices and honeydew produced by aphids.

However, paper wasps are also predators. They hunt caterpillars, fly larvae, and other insects to feed their developing young. This predatory behavior makes them beneficial for controlling pest populations in gardens and yards. A single colony can capture hundreds of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects throughout the season, helping to protect plants from damage.

The paper wasp life cycle follows a distinct annual pattern in most regions:

• Spring: A fertilized female wasp (the foundress) emerges from hibernation and begins building a new nest. She lays eggs in individual cells of the comb and cares for the first generation of workers herself.
• Summer: As worker wasps emerge, they take over nest maintenance, foraging, and caring for new larvae. The colony grows rapidly during this period, with the queen focusing solely on egg-laying. Larvae are fed a protein-rich diet of chewed insects, while adult wasps consume nectar and other sugary substances.
• Late summer/fall: The colony produces reproductive males and new queens. These wasps mate, and the fertilized females seek sheltered locations to overwinter. The original queen, workers, and males die as temperatures drop.
• Winter: Mated females enter a dormant state called diapause, surviving in protected locations until spring arrives and the cycle begins again.

Paper wasps are social wasps that live in organized colonies with a clear hierarchy. Unlike yellow jackets, they're generally less aggressive and will typically only sting when they feel threatened or when their nest is disturbed.

• Nest defense: Female wasps will aggressively defend their nest if they perceive a threat. They can sting multiple times and may release pheromones that alert other colony members to join the defense.
• Foraging patterns: Worker wasps leave the nest during daylight hours to hunt for insects and gather nectar. They're most active during warm, sunny days.
• Communication: Paper wasps use pheromones and physical behaviors to communicate within the colony, coordinating activities like nest building and defense.