Characteristics
– 
Size: Most species are about 1 inch in
length, but a few may be as small as 1/2-inch or
as large as 1-1/2 inches.
Color: Many are reddish-brown or
dark red. Some species are more orange, while others
have varying bright stripes of red and yellow.
Behavior – The
key to identifying paper wasps is the shape of the
nest -- a round, upside-down paper comb that is
attached by a single stalk to a horizontal surface
in a protected location. This paper nest resembles
an umbrella, lending to these wasps nickname, "umbrella
wasps." The colony starts out each spring as
a single queen that has overwintered in a protected
site, such as beneath bark, within leaf litter or
inside the walls or attics of buildings. The queen
finds a suitable nesting site and constructs a small
comb nest in which she raises her first brood of
larvae. These larvae mature into adult workers which
then begin to forage for food, care for the new
young, and enlarge the nest. Paper wasps are predators
and feed on insects, spiders, and caterpillars.
Most paper wasp colonies number only a few dozen
workers, but under the right conditions, a colony
might produce more than 100 workers. In early fall,
the colony produces queens which fly out to find
a site to overwinter.
Habitat –
Most paper wasp nests are located in exposed areas
beneath soffits, in the corners of windows, under
awnings, under porches, and beneath decks. These
wasps, however, will also nest within voids and
other protected sites, such as gas grills, electric
outlet boxes, hose reels, attics, and crawl spaces.
They often enter attics through holes in the soffits,
attic vent screens, and underneath shingles.
Tips for Control –
Paper wasp nests are usually easily controlled
using a wasp treatment product, then knocking
down the nest. Such treatments are best done at
night, although professionals can safely treat
them during the day. On buildings where continuous
paper wasp nest building occurs, treatment of
the affected areas with a residual pest control
product applied by a professional can deter most
of the activity.
|
