Paper wasps are slender, long-legged wasps that build distinctive open-celled, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, porch ceilings, and tree branches. They belong to the genus Polistes, one of the most common wasp groups homeowners encounter across North America. Unlike the aggressive yellow jacket — which nests underground and pursues intruders far from the nest — paper wasps are relatively docile insects that sting only when you approach their nest closely or handle them directly.
Quick paper wasp facts:
- Size: 0.75–1 inch long; slender body with long legs that dangle during flight
- Color: Variable — yellow, brown, reddish, or orange depending on species
- Nest: Open honeycomb-style comb with visible cells; no paper covering; attached by a single stalk
- Danger level: Low to moderate; rarely sting unless nest is threatened directly
- Season: Active spring through fall; colonies die in winter; nests never reused
Paper wasps pollinate fruits and vegetables, and they eat garden pests like nuisance caterpillars. Even though these ancient insects are largely beneficial, sometimes they make their umbrella-shaped nest in an inconvenient spot. We'll take a look at some Earth-friendly ways of sending paper wasps on their way.
Identification
From afar, paper wasps look like long, skinny bees with large legs that dangle beneath them in flight. The most common paper wasps are about ¾ inch long, with some over 1 inch in length. Size, markings and color vary depending on the age and species. Most of the 24 species of the genus Polistes in the US are yellow or light brown with some red markings. The most common paper wasps in America are the northern paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus) and the European paper wasp (Polistes dominula). The European paper wasp is invasive, meaning that it was introduced to North America by humans. Recent research shows that these invasive wasps actually harm the survival of our native wasps, such as the northern paper wasp. Each species has a unique pattern of markings and nesting habits. For general paper wasps, the ID giveaway is their nests. They are considered social wasps, so they live together in a unique abode. The nests look like upside down brown paper combs, attached to a surface with a single stalk. They're also known as 'umbrella wasps' due to the umbrella-shaped structure of these upside-down nests.
Common Paper Wasp Species in the United States
While there are 24 species of Polistes found in the US, three species account for the majority of homeowner encounters:
Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) — The most widespread native species, found across the eastern two-thirds of North America. Workers are 0.75–1 inch long with variable brown, yellow, and reddish markings. Colonies are relatively small (10–30 workers), and this species is considered low-to-moderate in aggression.
European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) — An invasive species introduced from Europe, now established across most of the US. Distinctive bright yellow and black banding makes it frequently confused with yellow jackets. It is highly adaptable and has expanded its range at the expense of native paper wasps.
Apache Paper Wasp (Polistes apachus) — The dominant paper wasp species across the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, Nevada, and Oklahoma. Apache paper wasps are reddish-brown to orange in color with yellow facial markings, and are often mistaken for red wasps due to their similar coloration. They build the same characteristic open-cell umbrella nests as other Polistes species, typically under eaves, porch ceilings, and tree branches. Apache paper wasps are moderately defensive near their nests but are not considered highly aggressive when encountered away from the nest. In the southwestern US, “paper wasp” most often refers to this species specifically.
| Species | Region | Color | Aggression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern paper wasp | Eastern US | Brown/yellow/red variable | Low–moderate |
| European paper wasp | Nationwide | Bright yellow and black | Moderate |
| Apache paper wasp | Southwestern US | Reddish-brown/orange | Moderate |
| Red paper wasp (P. carolina) | Southeastern US | Deep red | Moderate–high |
Paper Wasp vs Yellow Jacket: Key Differences
Paper wasps and yellow jackets look similar at a glance, but behave very differently — and the distinction matters for how you respond to them.
| Feature | Paper Wasp | Yellow Jacket |
|---|---|---|
| Body shape | Slender, long legs dangle in flight | Compact, rounded, legs not visible in flight |
| Body length | 0.75–1 inch | ~0.5 inch (noticeably smaller) |
| Coloring | Variable: yellow, brown, red, or orange | Bright yellow and black bands |
| Nest type | Open umbrella-shaped comb; cells visible | Enclosed gray paper nest; hidden underground or in walls |
| Colony size | 10–75 workers | 500–10,000+ workers |
| Aggression | Low–moderate; defensive near nest only | High; will chase intruders far from the nest |
| Scavenging | Rarely interested in human food | Actively seeks picnic food, drinks, and trash |
| Sting risk | Low if you don’t approach the nest | High, especially in late summer |
The quick test: If wasps are buzzing around your food or drinks at a picnic, they’re almost certainly yellow jackets. Paper wasps are insect predators — they’re not interested in your sandwich.
Why this matters for removal: Yellow jacket nests are usually hidden underground or inside wall cavities, making accidental disturbance very common. Paper wasp nests are openly visible under eaves or on branches, giving you more warning before you get too close. See our Yellow Jackets guide for more on the differences in nest removal strategy.
DIY Wasp removal recommendations
For non aggressive wasps I've had great luck spraying the nests with this Spectracide wasp remover in the evening. For more aggressive wasps I also use this rediculous looking upper torso Beekeeping suit. It seems silly, but trust me, it's amazing.
Paper Wasp vs Bee: How to Tell Them Apart
Homeowners frequently confuse paper wasps with bees, especially carpenter bees and bumblebees. The distinction matters — bees are beneficial pollinators that should almost never be disturbed, while paper wasps require different management considerations.
| Feature | Paper Wasp | Honey Bee / Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Body texture | Smooth, hairless, shiny | Fuzzy, hairy — especially the abdomen |
| Body shape | Slender waist; long, dangling legs | Rounder, more compact body |
| Color | Yellow/brown/red or orange — variable | Golden-yellow with black bands; bumblebees often have orange bands |
| Leg behavior | Legs dangle visibly below body during flight | Legs tucked close to body in flight |
| Nest type | Open paper comb — cells fully exposed | Enclosed wax comb (honeybees) or underground holes (bumblebees) |
| Nest location | Under eaves, porch ceilings, branches | Hives, hollow trees, wall voids (honeybees); underground (bumblebees) |
| Colony size | 10–75 workers | Thousands (honeybees); 50–400 (bumblebees) |
| Stinging behavior | Sting only when nest is directly threatened | Honeybees sting once and die; bumblebees can sting repeatedly |
The fastest visual test: Look at the waist. Paper wasps have a dramatically narrow “pinched” waist between the thorax and abdomen. Bees have a much broader, less defined waist and a fuzzy, rounded body. If the insect looks slender with dangling legs and no hair, it’s almost certainly a paper wasp.
Why this matters for management: Honeybees are protected in many areas and are actively declining — if you see honeybees in a wall void or hollow tree, contact a local beekeeper for removal rather than using pesticides. Paper wasps in the same location can be removed with standard wasp spray.
Paper Wasp Natural History
Despite mixed opinions among humans, wasps have been a part of ecosystems on Earth for millenia. The oldest known fossils of wasps are 240 million years old! Paper wasps belong to a group of insects called hymenoptera, the third most diverse animal group in the world with over 150,000 species of wasps, bees and ants described so far. Scientifically, paper wasps belong to the genus Polistes, of which there are over 300 species.
They are defined by their unique paper nests located in shrubs, on tree branches, on porch ceilings, window frames, roof overhangs and just about any other spot they see fit. These 'paper nests' are made of a mixture of plant material and insect saliva that the queen constructs. She creates hexagon-shaped compartments to house her eggs. In the larval stage, worker wasps feed them caterpillar guts and other insect prey. These eggs will become pupa after one and a half months and once hatched, the young wasps will join her kingdom as workers.
Adult wasps feed on nectar from flowers, lending a helpful hand to pollination in agriculture and the home garden alike. However, invasive non-native European paper wasps have been observed killing monarch butterfly caterpillars on milkweed plants in the US. Nests typically have anywhere from 10 to 100 wasps. Some residents are non-reproductive wasps among the group whose entire existence is for serving the colony by finding food and caring for young.
As cold weather arrives in the fall, most wasps perish. But the mighty queen lives on by nesting in protected areas. By burrowing underground or sheltering under tree bark, the youngest queens wait out the winter and then emerge to start a new nest of their own. Nests are only used for one season. For more on how queens overwinter and establish new colonies, see our queen wasp lifecycle guide.
Female wasps are larger than males. They carry the eggs and the best defenses. Female paper wasps have a modified ovipositor, commonly known as the stinger. Unlike the familiar honey bee, the stinger does not fall off after it's used. When a queen paper wasp is building her nest, she will need some wood to make her nest. Wasps 'girdle' trees, houses, outdoor furniture and anything else they can find to make the perfect cellulose glue to build a paper nest. This can be a problem if wasps scrape wood off anything of aesthetically value.
From garages and porches to farm fields and forests, these creatures are habitat generalists in North America. At least 24 of the 220 species of paper wasps have been observed in the United States. These members of the Vespid insect family are surprisingly beneficial in nature. Most are either predators of pesky small insects or pollinators of flowers. Unfortunately, they can damage fruits as they relish the sugars of the crop. They make up for it by eating herbivorous caterpillars that can do even more permanent damage to a crop.
Paper Wasp Lifecycle and Seasonal Activity
Understanding how paper wasp colonies develop through the year helps homeowners know when and how to act.
Spring (March–May): Colony establishment A fertilized queen that overwintered in a protected location (bark, leaf litter, wall voids) emerges when temperatures reliably reach 50–60°F. She selects a sheltered site — typically under an eave, porch ceiling, or tree branch — and builds the first cells entirely alone. The queen raises the first workers herself, so early-spring colonies are small and pose minimal sting risk.
Summer (June–August): Growth and peak activity Once the first workers emerge, they take over foraging and nest expansion. A mature paper wasp nest reaches its peak size of 6–8 inches diameter with 20–75 workers by midsummer. This is the highest-risk period if a nest is near a doorway, walkway, or outdoor seating area. Workers forage for caterpillars and other insects to feed larvae, and they will defend the nest if you approach too closely.
Fall (September–November): New queens and decline The colony produces new reproductive males and queens. After mating, new queens find overwintering sites while all the workers, males, and the old queen die with the first hard frosts. Worker behavior becomes more erratic in fall as colony cohesion breaks down.
Winter (December–February): Dormant — safest removal window Empty nests can be removed safely at any point during winter without sting risk. Nests are never reused the following year, though new queens sometimes select a nearby site. For the queen wasp lifecycle in more detail, see our dedicated guide.
The Sting and Other Troubles
Only female wasps can sting. Early in the evolution of vespids like bees and wasps, females needed a way to lay eggs into plants so that larvae could grow and feed. This is where the ovipositor (meaning 'egg-layer') entered the scene. Over time, this sharp ovipositor became useful as a weapon of defense. The ovipositor has evolved to become a specialized structure for injecting things, whether eggs or venom.
Most stings are the result of a human bumping into a nest. Paper wasps are not aggressive by nature, but when they feel their nest is threatened, they might swarm and sting the aggressor. Wasps don't lose their stinger after it is used, so the attack can continue until you are no longer perceived as a threat.
For most people, a sting brings sharp, temporary pain, redness and minor swelling. About 0.8% of children and 3% of adults are allergic to some insect stings. If allergic, a wasp sting can cause difficulty breathing, severe swelling, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, nausea and hives. This would be a proper cause for a hospital visit. If someone in your household might have allergies to bee stings or other insects, consider strategies for a safe, non-toxic removal.
Paper Wasp Sting Treatment
For a normal (non-allergic) paper wasp sting, home treatment is sufficient:
- Move away immediately — don’t swat, which may provoke additional stings from nearby workers
- Wash the sting site with soap and water to remove venom residue
- Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for 10–15 minutes to reduce swelling and pain
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain; ibuprofen also reduces inflammation
- Use an antihistamine (diphenhydramine/Benadryl) if itching develops
Pain typically peaks in the first hour and fades within a few hours. Local swelling can last 1–3 days.
Seek emergency care if you develop: hives or swelling beyond the sting site, difficulty breathing, throat tightening, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat. These are signs of anaphylaxis — a rare but life-threatening reaction requiring an epinephrine injection. For a complete treatment guide, see our Wasp Sting Treatment Guide.
How to Remove Paper Wasps
Paper wasp nests can be removed safely and effectively without the use of toxic pesticides that can harm human and environmental health. Safety first! Wear long sleeves, gloves and eye protection when removing a wasp nest. Check out these Earth-friendly ways of sending the wasps on their way.
- Nighttime removal: Paper wasps sleep at night. Recent research shows that wasps show all the signs of what we consider 'sleep'. They are slow to react if removed in the dark.
- Use red light for night vision: Many invertebrates can't see the color red due to the biology of their eyes and visual sensitivities (but they can see things we can't, like ultraviolet rays!) To avoid detection as you remove the nest, use a red flashlight or headlamp.
- Peppermint oil and other essential oil sprays can be used to deter wasps. It's pretty easy to make. Scientists have studied the effectiveness of this organic deterrent.
- Soapy water: This tried and true non-toxic tactic has been shown to get rid of wasps effectively. Learn more here.
- Additional tips: Don't break the nest open during removal. Doing so might cause the wasps to scatter in all directions around you.
- One option is to wait for the end of the nesting season in the fall. Cold weather brings an end to the use of a nest, and it won't be used again. This is only a valid option in areas with frequent freezing nights in the winter.
Keeping Them Away
Decoy wasp nests are a popular DIY creation, but science hasn't shown this to be effective. In fact, entomologists say that they most likely aren't of any use since paper wasps are regularly observed nesting in close proximity to one another. On the other hand, scientists have found several essential oils to be excellent repellants for paper wasps and other insects. Make sure that screens, windows, siding and other exposed areas are in good condition to discourage wasps from nesting on your home. Keep trash and empty cans inaccessible to wasps. Consider consulting a professional if the nest removal is too dangerous or risky for you. Don't be afraid to ask pest control for Earth-friendly, non-toxic removal.
Cool Facts About Wasps
- Only female wasps can sting. They are much larger than males. Some people even handle male wasps with their hands!
- The stinger is actually an ovipositor used to lay eggs. Fossils indicate that this structure evolved before the time of T. rex to deposit eggs into plants.
- Some males have tiny spikes on their abdomens that allow them to prick an attacker.
- Wasp venom contains more than 30 compounds, including protein toxins and various enzymes.
- Wasps are important pollinators in gardens and farms. They also eat nuisance garden pests like caterpillars.
- Wasps can become invasive species if they are transported to a new area. The common European paper wasps in the US are non-native invasives.
- Queens spend the winter burrowing underground, behind tree bark, or in a similar sheltered area like a home or attic.
- Nests are only used for one season. If winter is coming, they'll likely be gone soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Paper wasps are not naturally aggressive and rarely sting people who are simply walking nearby. Their defensive behavior is almost entirely triggered by direct handling, swatting, or getting too close to an active nest. Compared to yellow jackets — which will pursue intruders well away from their nest and sting repeatedly — paper wasps are considered low-to-moderate in aggression. For a comparison of aggression levels across species, see Are Wasps Aggressive?.
Do paper wasps sting more than once?
Yes. Like all wasps (and unlike honey bees), paper wasps have smooth stingers that don’t detach after use. A single paper wasp can sting multiple times, and when threatened, they release alarm pheromones that can recruit nearby nestmates to join the defense. See Can Wasps Sting More Than Once? for more detail.
Can paper wasps recognize human faces?
Yes — research on Polistes fuscatus (northern paper wasp) has shown that these insects can recognize individual human faces, a capability previously thought to exist only in vertebrates. Scientists believe this helps them recognize nestmates from other wasps. See Do Wasps Remember Faces? for more on the science.
When is the best time to remove a paper wasp nest?
The safest window is winter (December–February), when all workers have died and only an empty paper structure remains. For active nests, treat after dark when all wasps have returned to the nest — use an aerosol wasp spray at maximum effective distance (10–15 feet), retreat immediately, and remove the dead nest 24 hours later. Always wear protective clothing. See How to Get Rid of Paper Wasps for step-by-step instructions.
What do paper wasps eat?
Adult paper wasps feed primarily on nectar and other sugary liquids. However, they hunt caterpillars, flies, and other soft-bodied insects to feed their larvae. This makes them genuinely useful in gardens — a single colony can consume thousands of pest caterpillars per season. See What Do Paper Wasps Eat? for more detail.
Are paper wasps beneficial?
Yes. Paper wasps are significant predators of garden and agricultural pests, particularly caterpillars that damage plants. They also provide incidental pollination when visiting flowers for nectar. Unless a nest is in a location where people regularly pass close by, it’s generally better to leave paper wasp nests alone and let them do their work.
What do paper wasps look like?
Paper wasps are slender, 0.75–1 inch long, with a distinctively narrow waist, long legs that dangle below the body during flight, and relatively large wings. Color varies by species: most are yellow-brown with red markings (northern paper wasp), bright yellow and black like a yellow jacket but slimmer (European paper wasp), reddish-brown to orange (apache paper wasp in the southwest), or deep red (red paper wasp in the southeast). The key visual identifier is always the open umbrella-shaped nest with exposed hexagonal cells — if you see that structure, you’re looking at paper wasps.
Do paper wasps make honey?
No. Paper wasps do not make honey. They feed their larvae on insect prey (mainly caterpillars) and adult workers consume nectar from flowers, but they store no food reserves in their nests. This is an important difference from honeybees, which produce and store honey as a winter food supply. Paper wasp colonies die off completely each fall — they have no need to store food because only a few mated queens survive winter, tucked away in protected spots, not in the nest.
Are paper wasps a sign of infestation?
Not typically. One or two paper wasps at a time is normal summer behavior — they’re foraging for caterpillars or nectar. Seeing multiple wasps flying in and out of the same spot repeatedly suggests an active nest nearby. Paper wasp nests are single-colony structures housing 10–75 workers; they’re not signs of a widespread infestation the way ants or cockroaches can be. A single nest in a low-traffic location generally requires no action.
What attracts paper wasps to your house?
Paper wasps are drawn to sheltered, semi-shaded surfaces with good sun exposure — porch ceilings, under deck railings, eaves, and window frames. They’re also attracted by gardens with abundant caterpillars (their preferred prey), flowers for nectar, and water sources. Unpainted or weathered wood is a building material source — wasps scrape wood fiber to make nest paper. To reduce attraction: seal gaps in soffits and siding, apply fresh paint to weathered wood surfaces, and keep outdoor dining areas clean of sweet spills.
Related Articles
- Paper Wasp Complete Homeowner Guide — comprehensive overview of identification, behavior, and management
- How to Get Rid of Paper Wasps — step-by-step removal methods for homeowners
- Do Paper Wasps Sting? — understanding paper wasp sting behavior and risk
- What Do Paper Wasps Eat? — diet and foraging habits explained
- Paper Wasp Nest: Identification, Removal, and Prevention — complete guide to paper wasp nests
- Paper Wasp Sting: Treatment, Symptoms & Prevention — first aid and recovery guide
- European Paper Wasp Identification Guide — the invasive species found across the US
- Paper Wasps in Florida — regional guide for Florida homeowners
- Paper Wasps in Texas — regional guide for Texas homeowners (includes apache paper wasp)
- Red Paper Wasp: Complete Identification and Behavior Guide — in-depth guide to Polistes carolina including sting assessment and nest management
- Apache Paper Wasp: Complete Identification Guide — identification and behavior guide for the dominant paper wasp of the southwestern US
- Red Wasps — identification and comparison with reddish paper wasp species including apache paper wasps
Helpful Links
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/beekeepers/fact-sheets-publications/paper-wasps.html
http://idl.entomology.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/Paper-Wasps-CCE.pdf
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/insects/paper-wasps-yellowjackets-and-solitary-wasps/
https://askentomologists.com/2015/09/23/why-cant-male-bees-or-wasps-sting/
https://bugguide.net/node/view/572
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.3411
