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You might not see paper wasps year-round, but when they’re active in Maine, they can become a serious, and sometimes dangerous, problem. These wasps are especially aggressive in the late summer and early fall, so knowing how to spot them early and what to do if you find a nest on your property can make all the difference. Here’s everything you need to know about paper wasps.
What do paper wasps look like?
Paper wasps are usually brown with yellow markings, though some have red highlights. They grow to ¾” long, with long, thin legs, wings, and antennae. One easy way to tell them apart from hornets is their narrow, pinched waist.
Where do paper wasps build nests?
Paper wasps earn their name from the nests they build. These umbrella-shaped nests are built from a paper-like material created by wasps mixing wood fibers with saliva. Inside, the queen lays eggs in individual cells.
Paper wasps prefer sheltered locations, often high off the ground. Common nesting spots include:
- Eaves and porch ceilings
- Tree branches and shrubbery
- Attics and wall voids
- Window and door frames
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Unlike other types of stinging insects, by nature, paper wasps aren’t aggressive. They usually won’t sting unless they feel threatened. They will defend themselves or their nest with a sting if they sense danger to themselves or their nest.
When are paper wasps most active in Maine?
Paper wasps become active in spring. Queens emerge from overwintering to find a suitable nesting spot and start laying eggs. As the season progresses, the emerging wasps help expand the nest and care for the young.
Populations peak in late summer, but early fall often sees a surge in activity. With queens finished laying eggs and food sources dwindling, paper wasps spend more time searching for nourishment, sometimes acting more aggressively than earlier in the season.
Do paper wasp stings pose health risks?
For most people, a paper wasp sting is painful but not dangerous. Although redness, swelling, and itchiness may occur, symptoms usually disappear in a few days.
However, if you have a stinging insect allergy, paper wasp stings can be life-threatening. Anyone allergic to bee stings should take extra precautions and seek medical treatment right away if stung.
What attracts paper wasps to your property?
Paper wasps look for three main things: food, water, and shelter.
- Food: Paper wasps eat nectar and other insects and may also consume sweet or protein-rich foods. Properties with flowering plants, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, uncovered garbage bins, or outdoor dining areas can be especially attractive.
- Water: Standing water in clogged gutters, bird baths, pet dishes, leaky spigots, pools, or overwatered lawns can draw paper wasps to your property.
- Shelter: Queens build nests in protected areas like eaves, attics, and porch ceilings.
What should I do if I find a paper wasp nest?
It might be tempting to spray or knock down a nest yourself, but don’t. DIY removal is risky and often ineffective, and it can increase the chances of stings.
Instead, contact a professional like Pine State Pest Solutions. We provide home pest control services that include knocking down wasp nests and treating areas where these stinging insects often set up shop.
How can I prevent paper wasps around my home?
Preventing paper wasps takes some effort, but it’s worth it. Here are tips to keep them away:
- Trim back foliage near your home
- Inspect eaves, porch ceilings, and window frames regularly
- Seal openings into walls, attics, and other sheltered spaces
- Keep garbage bins tightly covered and away from the house
- Pick up fallen fruit promptly
- Don’t leave pet food or water outside
- Maintain proper drainage around your yard and foundation
- Fix leaks and drippy faucets
- Clean gutters and outdoor dining areas
- Schedule routine pest control
Taking these steps early can prevent paper wasps from making your property their own.
Contact Pine State Pest Solutions today for more information about paper wasps or pest control services that target wasps and other pests.