How To Identify Paper Wasps: Everything You Need To Know

Posted on April 16, 2022

Paper wasps are one of the most common types of wasps in North America. They are easily recognized by their long, slender bodies and their wings, which are darker than the rest of their bodies. Paper wasps are also characterized by their long legs, which they use to hang upside down from their nests. In this blog, we’ll discuss paper wasps and what A1 Exterminators can do to help you rid your home or business of these pesky pests.

In this blog, we’ll discuss:

How you can identify paper wasps and what they look like
What paper wasps eat and how they behave during the spring and summer months
Where you may find paper wasps nests and how you can spot a paper wasp nest in your backyard
How A1 Exterminators can help you rid your home of paper wasps

What Do Paper Wasps Look Like?

Paper wasps are a type of wasp that are brown and yellow in color. They are about ¾ of an inch long and their wingspan is about 1 inch. They have a long, slender body and a narrow waist. Paper wasps build their nests out of paper and they are often found near homes and buildings.

What Do Paper Wasps Eat?

Paper wasps are attracted to sweet substances, such as fruits, flower nectar, and other sugary substances. They will also feed on insects, carrion, and garbage.

Adult wasps feed on:

Nectar or other sugary solutions
Honeydew
Juices of ripe fruits

What Kind Of Nests Do Paper Wasps Build?

Paper wasps are social insects that build their nests out of a paper-like material. The nests are made up of small cells that the wasps use to raise their young. The nests are usually found in sheltered areas, such as under eaves or in trees. Paper wasps are considered to be beneficial because they prey on harmful insects, such as caterpillars.

What Should You Do If You Find A Paper Wasp Nest?

Gray paper wasp nest in corner of triangular roof against siding.

The best course of action if you find a paper wasp nest is to leave it alone. Paper wasps are not aggressive, and will only sting if they feel threatened. If you do need to remove the nest, you can do so with a vacuum cleaner. Simply place the vacuum cleaner over the nest and turn it on. The wasps will be sucked into the vacuum cleaner and the nest will be destroyed.

Are Paper Wasps Dangerous?

People are often interested in knowing whether paper wasps are dangerous. The answer to this question is that they can be dangerous, but not in the way that people usually think. Paper wasps are not aggressive and will only sting humans if they feel threatened. If you are allergic to paper wasp stings, then you should seek medical attention immediately.

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Bee Control, Wasp Control, Hornet Control & Stinging Insect Control

Bees, hornets and wasps are in the same family of flying, stinging insects. Although crucial in the pollinating process of plant growth, they can be a real nuisance and a hazard. If a bee, hornet or wasp sets up a nest or hive in your yard where your children play, or near an outdoor eating area where employees eat their lunch, it can be dangerous. Many people are allergic to these stinging insects and it can turn into an emergency. Pesky bees and wasps nests are best to be handled by the professionals who are trained to do so in a contained manner, without making the bees aggressive.

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