If you start to notice lots of wasps in a certain area of your property, it is likely that there is a wasp nest nearby. Every spring, they build one from scratch, and it is where they lay eggs and look after their young. While these insects play a role in the ecosystem as pollinators, they also sting and are really defensive. This is why they can cause worry if they nest somewhere that’s too close to where people come and go.
Let’s look at how wasp nests, specifically paper nests, are built and how they look. This is to help you learn how to identify them, especially if you have one in your home or establishment.
How a Paper Nest Is Made
After emerging from winter hibernation, a queen wasp starts to look for a suitable location to build a nest, such as a hollow tree, an attic, or a wall crack. The process begins with the queen attaching the initial part to a structure where the material will be formed and built. One queen or several queens can work on the construction, which involves building a central stalk that will serve as the base of the nest.
At the end of the stalk, cells or chambers are built, which is where the queen lays eggs and pupae and larvae are reared. Once the eggs are hatched and the wasps become adults, they take over the nest construction while the queen continues to lay eggs. This is a continuous process of adding layers until the colony reaches its peak size at the end of summer.
What Is It Made Of?
It is made from wood pulp, chewed and shredded by the queen wasp, and then mixed with her saliva and formed into a paste material. The pulp, which looks papery, is a very strong material that can withstand rain, wind, and even fire. The wasp scrapes wood fibers from nearby wooden sources, so if you see small white lines on fence panels or sheds, it’s a sign that a wasp nest is not far away.
Common Locations of Wasp Nests
Since building a nest requires access to wood, these are the spots where you’ll usually find one:
- Wooden beams, garage roofs, or rafters of loft spaces
- Garden sheds
- Summer houses
- Wooden gates and fence posts
- Bird boxes
- Trees and bushes
- Log piles and log stores
- Outdoor decks
- Attics
- Door frames
- Wall cavities near fresh sources of wood
What Attracts Wasps To Nest Locations
There are various reasons why wasps choose a nest location. Generally, they build in areas where the resources they need for survival are available. The possible reasons include the following:
- Suitable area to find food
- Good hiding place from predators
- Near sweet food and drinks, meat, and other insects
- Areas with vegetation, such as gardens and wooded spots
- Areas with a lot of sunlight
How a Nest Looks Like
Wasp nests can be dull-looking and brown, off-white, or gray in color, depending on the type of wood used. They are usually shaped like an uneven ball—the bigger the nest, the more uneven it will look. Outside, you can see swirl patterns, while there’s a honeycomb pattern on the inside. A nest can also be open or closed, depending on the species.
The Lifespan of a Wasp Nest
Wasps do not reuse nests. They generally last one season since they abandon them by fall, and male wasps die in the winter months.
What To Do if You See One
When you see a wasp nest in your home or place of business, or even something that resembles one, consult an expert right away. Resist the urge to go near it to try and see if it matches the description of a wasp nest. It is better to be safe since these insects can be aggressive when threatened, with stings that can cause allergic reactions.
Turn to Pest Control Specialists for Identification and Removal
If the location of a wasp nest poses a risk to humans, let pest control experts handle it. They have the knowledge, skills, and gear to safely and effectively get rid of it for you.
