There are a variety of species of paper wasps, each with their own distinctions, but the majority of paper wasps are brown with yellow markings. They have dark wings, a thin “waist”, a set of antennae, and long legs. Paper wasps grow to between half an inch and three-quarters of an inch in length.
Paper wasps get their name from their nests, which have a paper-like outer shell. They are also sometimes called umbrella wasps because their nests look like upside-down umbrellas. These nests start small, around the size of a ping-pong ball, but can grow to be quite large — some are larger than a basketball.
The inside of a paper wasp nest is filled with combs, or cells, where the queen lays her eggs.
Paper wasp queens are in charge of starting new nests. In the spring, they come out after overwintering to look for a suitable place to build their nests. They look for a sheltered area where the nest will be safe while also being near a good food and water source.
You can often find paper wasp nests in the eaves of your home, hanging from tree branches, or under decks and porches. They can also get into attics.
Like other stinging insects, paper wasps eat both sweet foods and protein-rich foods. They like the nectar from flowering plants, as well as the sugar in drinks you might leave outside. They also eat small insects, such as caterpillars and flies.
In the spring, the queen of a new colony will be attracted to your property if it provides a good place to build a nest, along with a steady food and water supply. Once a nest is established and wasps begin to hatch and mature, they will be attracted to the food sources around your property. Your flowering plants will be a favorite place for them to spend time. If you eat outdoors or have accessible garbage bins, you’ll likely find paper wasps buzzing around these areas. They also are attracted to bright colors and sweet scents.
Paper wasps are not aggressive by nature, but they are naturally inclined to protect their nest and themselves. If you disturb a paper wasp while it’s away from its nest, it may sting you to try to protect itself. If you disturb a paper wasp nest, you may be in for a much bigger problem as all of the paper wasps in the area will come out to protect the nest.
It’s important to note that paper wasps can sting multiple times. While a brief encounter may only result in a single sting, if the wasp is trapped, it may sting you multiple times in its effort to get away from you.
What you do about a paper wasp sting depends on your reaction to the sting. Most people have a mild to moderate reaction to a paper wasp sting. The area of the sting will hurt and will likely get red and swell up a bit. However, after a day or two, the symptoms will abate.
If you are someone with an allergy to stinging insects, you have to be far more careful about paper wasp stings. In addition to the localized symptoms, you may experience hives, all-over itchiness, difficulty swallowing, or even difficulty breathing. If you start to have a reaction that goes beyond the localized symptoms, it’s best to contact a medical professional right away.
If you’ve noticed paper wasp activity on your property or have discovered a nest too close for comfort, contact Marathon Pest Control. Offering effective pest control services in the Woodlands, Magnolia, and throughout the area, you can count on our team to solve your stinging insect problem!
The best way to prevent paper wasps on your property in The Woodlands is to stop a queen from building a nest in early spring. If you see a new nest just starting to form, you can typically get rid of it with little risk to your own safety.
However, it can be difficult to find a nest when it’s still small. If you want to prevent a queen or other wasps from spending time on your property, you need to eliminate or minimize the things that attract them. Do this by:
When you implement these prevention tips, you can help reduce the likelihood of paper wasps spending time on your property. If you continue to have a problem with these pests, contact Marathon Pest Control for help.
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