Paper wasps are the most common type of wasp found in Washington state. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about them being agressive around you.  Exterminators state that unless they’re provoked they are harmless. It’s usually their nesting and feeding habits that make them an annoyance. Use the following guide to learn more about these insects and determine if they’ve set up shop around your home. 

How to Identify Paper Wasps

Usually, paper wasps are first identified by their nests. According to exterminators, they build papery-looking nests out of wood, paper, plant stems, and their glue-like saliva. You’ll usually find them on man-made structures — like under the eaves of a house, on beams inside attics and garages, and under outdoor furniture — and they’ll resemble upside-down paper combs or an umbrella. Wasp nest are open faced with the cells visible.  Nests that are covered with paper are yellow jackets or hornets and should not be ignored!

The wasps have long bodies — on average about one inch. They also have narrow waists and a smooth and shiny body. Their coloring ranges from orange to dark red, and some are known to have bright red or yellow stripes. 

What Are Common Paper Wasp Behaviors?

When the weather warms, the female wasps that hibernated during winter come out to make their nests. After laying her eggs, the queen will hunt for caterpillars and other insects to place in the cells with the larvae. She’ll then cover each cell, and the larvae will emerge as adult females or “workers” three weeks later. 

As the hive grows, paper wasps can become nuisances to people living in the area. While they don’t typically sting, exterminators warn that swatting at them or approaching their nest will cause them to become aggressive. These stings can be incredibly painful and produce dangerous symptoms in those who are allergic. For these reasons, have them removed once you notice a nest on your property.

If you discover a paper wasp around your home, contact the professionals at Extermination Services for immediate removal. They have provided complete residential pest control services to Port Orchard and Gig Harbor, WA, since 1991. Their licensed exterminators are trained to remove spiders, rodents, ants, and wasps efficiently. Visit their website to learn more about their guaranteed services, or call them today at (360) 895-1890 to schedule an appointment.