Red wasps are a type of paper wasp. These wasps are common in the Woodlands and throughout Texas; they get their name from their rusty red-colored bodies. Red wasps grow to about an inch in length and have black wings. They can have black or yellow markings but are primarily red.
Like all paper wasps, red wasps build nests out of cellulose. The inside of the nest is filled with comb structures and the outside of the nest is covered in a paper-like shell. A completed red wasp nest is shaped like an upside-down umbrella and can be quite large. Some paper wasp nests are as big as a basketball.
Red wasps typically build their nests in areas that are somewhat protected from the elements. You can expect to find them under the eaves of your house, in tree branches, under your porch, and in other similar locations.
Red wasps are omnivores. They enjoy sugary foods, like nectar, but also eat insects, like caterpillars. If they are around your house, they’re likely to feed on the nectar in your garden’s flower beds, but can also be found around your garbage bins or your picnic table if you’ve recently eaten a meal outdoors. If you keep recycling bins outside, you may find red wasps feeding on the sugary remains in cans and bottles.
Red wasps are one of the most aggressive stinging insects. While other paper wasps will usually only sting if they feel threatened, red wasps are more likely to sting for a variety of reasons. Feeling threatened is certainly the most common reason for red wasps to sting, but if you get close to their nest or see one buzzing around and decide to swat at it, you’re likely to end up with a painful sting.
However, you may also get stung simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A red wasp that comes upon you while flying around or that is getting annoyed because it’s hungry are both likely to sting.
One of the problems with getting stung by a red wasp is that they can sting repeatedly. Unlike bees, wasps don’t lose their stingers when they use them, so they can sting you more than once.
If you have a normal reaction to a red wasp sting, you will feel pain at the site of the sting, along with redness and swelling. Although unpleasant, the symptoms will only last a few days at most. However, if you have an allergy to stinging insects, you may have a much more severe reaction. Hives, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis are all symptoms that accompany an allergic reaction to a red wasp sting. These symptoms warrant further attention by a medical professional.
Red wasps are attracted by a variety of things. When red wasp queens first come out in the spring to start a new colony, they look for a location that provides all of the things they need to survive. They’ll look for a plentiful food source, a safe area where they can build their nests with a good water supply.
If your property offers food, water, and shelter, red wasps will likely find their way onto your property, even if their nest is on a neighboring property. Some of the things that might attract red wasps include:
All of the things above will attract red wasps to your property.
If you’re battling red wasps, yellow jackets, or other pests around your home, contact Marathon Pest Control for effective pest control services. Our local team of exterminators have the knowledge and training to locate and treat wasp nests.
When you know what attracts red wasps, you can work to prevent red wasps. By removing as many attractants as possible from your property, you can help minimize your chances of ending up with a red wasp problem. The following prevention tips will help:
You can also watch for the formation of red wasp nests in the spring. If you find a nest in its earliest stages, you can get rid of it before the colony has a chance to develop. However, if you find a well-established nest, it’s important for your health and safety to avoid getting near it. Instead, contact the professionals at Marathon Pest Control to remove it safely and effectively.
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