Paper Wasps

Biology

Paper wasps congregate throughout the United States. They are semi-social, existing in small colonies. Overwintering inseminated queens begin building nests in the spring. These queens are sometimes joined by other inseminated queens that help in nest building and maintenance. Such secondary queens become functional workers and relegate egg laying to the founding queen. If the dominant queen dies, one of the secondaries assume egg laying to make sure that the nest will survive. The nest consist of a single layer of paper like comb with the cells opening downward. This comb supports itself using a branch, twig, or horizontal surface. This comb is never enclosed. Each cell houses a single egg for feeding the developing larva insect proteins. The cell is capped when the larva is ready to pupate. Nests are small to medium in size, containing up to about 150-250 cells.

In general the life cycle of the paper wasp is 12-22 days for workers and up to a year for the queen.

Feeding Preferences

The paper wasp feeds on nectar and other insects such as beetle larvae, caterpillars, and flies.

Transmitted Diseases

Does not transmit human diseases.

Habits

Paper wasps hang their comb nests from twigs and branches of trees and shrubs. If a nest is disturbed, there is high probability that the wasp will sting. While not an aggressive species by nature, paper wasps will attack if their nest is threatened. Wasp stings are painful and can cause the same risk of allergic reaction as other insect stings.

Paper wasps also like to hang their comb nests from porch ceilings, the top member of window and door frames, soffits, eaves, attic rafters, deck floor joists and railings. Normally they will make nests in any area that is protected from the weather.

Expert Pest Program

Expert Pest Management will perform a thorough treatment of the exterior of your structure by a trained professional. We will locate all problem areas and properly identify
the pest you are having. All programs are specially designed to target the pest that is infesting your structure.