Welcome to Wasp Wednesday!
Wasp Wednesday is a weekly series, starting in August, that will cover information on wasps found in Massachusetts.
This week I'll be talking about paper wasps!
What is a Paper Wasp?
Paper wasps (Polistes spp.) get their name due to their paper based nests. The easiest way to identify if you have paper wasps versus anything else is to look at the nest. They have a very distinct nest structure that is not fully enclosed, so you see the open cells like in the picture to the right. This open comb design as it builds out is in an upside down umbrella shape, which is why they are also called umbrella wasps. Paper wasps prefer covered, protected spots, like under eaves, or decking for their nest locations.
Queens come out in the spring after overwintering and scout out where they want to start their nests. She handles the building, foraging, young rearing, etc. all by herself. Once the first generation of paper wasps is ready, the queen focuses mostly on laying eggs. This system is why their nests seem to start off growing so slowly and then in late season can seem to grow almost explosively.
A fun fact for paper wasps is that not every queen will build her own nest. Sometimes they team up to build, though only one will be the dominant queen in the end.
How Dangerous are Paper Wasps?
In the NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests, paper wasps are described as "usually unaggressive" in urban environments. In my experience, this holds true and I've often heard them called "defensive, not aggressive". They are easiest to handle early, before their nest is very established for them to become defensive over. However, they are beneficial pollinators and prey on garden pests, so we recommend coexisting with them whenever possible. With that said - it is still a risk assessment and we understand individuals comfort. If they are building in your entrance way, on your hot tub, have an allergy, etc. you may want to re-evaluate.
How to Get Rid of Paper Wasps?
With all wasps, care should be taken to ensure your safety prior to attempting to handle the nest. If you are unsure or weary, it may be best left to the professionals! We help with paper wasps from the start of the season when the nests are small to the much larger end-of-season nests. You can call us at 508-756-5197 or by submitting the contact form at the link above to get help with wasps any time of year.
Because paper wasps tend to be defensive rather aggressive, if you can knock the nests down before they are established to encourage the queens to relocate. Once they are established, you will be dealing with the defensive behavior at full strength - and the risk level rises with increases in the size of the colony.
About the Author
My name is Caitlyn Richmond, and Ransford has been in my family for generations. I am an Associate Certified Entomologist and hold my certification in Massachusetts for structural pest control (Cat. 41). In the age of AI hallucination and misinformation, we have brought our blog writing fully in-house. For my blogs, information sources are listed in the bibliography at the end. We strive to provide accurate and helpful information. If you find a mistake on any of our blogs, including this one, please reach out to us using the Contact Us form above.
Bibliography
- Mallis Handbook of Pest Control (11th Edition) – Stoy A. Hedges, Dan Moreland, & Stan Cope (Eds.), GIE Media, 2025.
- NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests (2nd Edition) – Eric H. Smith & Richard C. Whitman, National Pest Management Association, 2007.