Quick answer
A paper wasp is a social wasp in the genus Polistes with a slender body and long dangling legs that builds a single open comb of paper cells, shaped like an upside-down umbrella, under eaves, railings and other sheltered spots.
Colonies are small and far less defensive than yellowjacket colonies, but each female can sting more than once if the nest is disturbed.
Quick facts
The key facts about Paper Wasp, with sources:
Key takeaways
- You can spot a paper wasp nest because the cells are open to view, like a gray honeycomb hanging from a stem.
- Paper wasps are much less defensive than yellowjackets and rarely sting unless their nest is bumped.
- They hunt caterpillars and other garden pests, so a nest away from doors can be left alone.
- Small nests started in spring are the easiest to deal with; by late summer the colony is at its biggest.
- The European paper wasp, an invasive species first reported in 1981, nests in hidden spots where people bump into it more often.
Paper wasps explained simply
Paper wasps get their name from their nests, because the wasps scrape wood fiber, chew it into pulp and shape it into gray paper cells 3. The finished nest looks like an open umbrella turned upside down, hanging from one short stalk with every cell open to view 1.
The wasps themselves are long and thin, about 5/8 to 1 inch from head to tail 23, with long legs that dangle when they fly, so a paper wasp looks more stretched out than a stocky yellowjacket.
Colors vary by species: many western species are golden brown with yellow or red patches 1. In Texas, Polistes exclamans is brown with yellow bands and Polistes carolina, the “red wasp,” is reddish-brown all over 3.
Scientists place paper wasps in the genus Polistes, in the same family as yellowjackets and hornets.
Like them, paper wasps live in colonies with a queen, workers and, late in the year, males 3.
The big differences are scale and temper: a paper wasp colony is small and far less defensive by comparison 1.
The nest tells you most
An open comb with visible cells is a paper wasp. A closed gray ball with one hole is a yellowjacket or hornet nest 1. That difference changes how risky the nest is.
How a paper wasp colony works through the year
Native paper wasp colonies last a single season, and extension sources describe the same yearly pattern.
- Winter shelter: Mated queens spend the winter in cracks, crevices or under tree bark 3, although attics and wall gaps can serve the same purpose.
- Spring nest: Each queen starts a new nest by herself and lays one egg in each cell as she builds 3.
- First workers: The legless, grub-like larvae grow through several stages and pupate. The first adults become sterile workers that build, feed the young and guard the nest 3.
- Summer hunting: Workers forage by day for caterpillars, flies and beetle larvae, and chew them up for the larvae, and they also drink nectar 32. At night every wasp rests on the comb 3.
- Late summer: The queen stops laying, the colony starts to decline, and new queens and males appear 3.
- Fall: Mated young queens fly off to find winter shelter, while the rest of the colony dies 32.
- Queen overwintersCracks, bark, sheltered gaps
- Queen founds nestOne egg per cell, raises first brood alone
- Workers take overBuild, hunt and guard
- Colony peaksLate summer; queen stops laying
- New queens leaveMate, then seek shelter; colony dies
- Back to step 1
Fall is when wasp numbers peak and people get stung most by nests they never noticed, as Iowa State notes 4. Our page on pest life cycles explains why early-season action is easier.
Paper wasp species you may see
| Species | Look | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus) | Larger than the European paper wasp 4 | Native; western form P. fuscatus aurifer is named by UC IPM 1 |
| European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) | Black with bright yellow stripes and spots; orange antennae 4 | Invasive; first U.S. report Massachusetts 1981; bigger colonies than natives 4 |
| Polistes exclamans | Brown with yellow on head, thorax and bands 3 | Common in Texas 3 |
| Red wasp (Polistes carolina) | Reddish-brown all over 3 | Common in Texas 3 |
| Polistes apachus | Golden-brown western type 1 | Named among California paper wasps 1 |
The European paper wasp looks a lot like a yellowjacket, so check the legs: paper wasps let them dangle in flight.
Example: judging a porch nest by its size
This illustration is built from extension figures, and it shows how a homeowner can read a nest without getting close, but it is not a rule for every species.
| What you see | Published figure | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Nest about the size of a hand | Nests rarely exceed an outstretched hand 1 | A normal, full-size paper wasp nest |
| Up to 200 cells | Mature nests contain up to 200 cells 3 | Near peak size, usually late summer |
| A few dozen wasps on the comb | 20–30 adults in a mature nest 3; up to about 200 1 | Far fewer defenders than a yellowjacket nest of 1,500–15,000 1 |
| Nest the size of a coin, in spring | Queen builds alone at first 3 | Early stage; UC IPM says knocking down new nests often makes the queen leave 1 |
The lesson: a paper wasp nest by a door is a real sting risk, but a much smaller one than a hidden yellowjacket colony. View it from a distance, and if it sits where people brush past it, plan to remove it.
Where paper wasps and their nests turn up
Utah State lists building eaves, play equipment, benches, hollow pipes, plants and trees as common nest sites 2. Porch ceilings, shutters, mailboxes, grill lids and door frames are also typical. The European paper wasp prefers hidden spots, such as behind shutters, which puts it close to people 4.
On a technician’s notes, you may see “paper wasp nest, eave, rear porch.” Some service plans list paper wasps under “stinging insects” and include eave sweeps on each visit. Check what your plan covers with our pest control contract guide, and see the stinging insect removal service for a one-time job.
On product labels you will see “wasps” or “paper wasps” as listed pests. The label is the legal guide to any use, as our pesticide safety guide explains.
Signs of a paper wasp problem
- A gray, open comb hanging from an eave, rail or ceiling, with wasps resting on it 1.
- Slender wasps with dangling legs flying around a porch or deck.
- Wasps going in and out of a hollow pipe, a shutter or a play set 24.
- Wasps gathered on flowers such as goldenrod in late fall 3.
- Wasps showing up indoors in fall or late winter, often queens looking for shelter 3.
Stings can be serious
Paper wasps attack when the nest is disturbed and can sting repeatedly. Stings usually cause local pain and swelling, but sensitive people can have whole-body allergic reactions, which can be fatal 3.
Wash a sting with soap and water and use ice 6. Call 911 if a wasp sting causes trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat. If you know you are allergic, do not try to remove a nest yourself 4.
Paper wasps: helpful neighbor or hazard?
Why they help
Limits of paper wasp control
Removing one nest does not stop the next, because every spring new queens look for sheltered spots and a porch that suited one queen will suit another. That is why sealing gaps and watching in early summer matters more than any single treatment.
Hidden nests are easy to miss: wasps in hollow pipes, play sets and behind shutters may not be found until someone gets stung 24.
Paper wasp nests usually need no treatment at all unless they are near people 1. Spraying every nest on a property kills helpful predators without reducing much risk.
What affects the cost of removing paper wasps
We do not publish prices, because a fair figure needs many dated local quotes, but these are the factors that change a quote.
Height and access come first: a nest at eye level on a porch is quick, while one at a second-story eave needs a ladder or pole. The number of nests is next, since some homes have several along the roofline. Hidden nests in pipes, shutters or wall gaps take longer.
Recurring plans often include knocking down wasp nests on each visit, which may be cheaper than one-off calls if nests return every year. Compare options with the recurring plan tool and read the pest control cost guide.
There is no lasting warranty, because new queens build new nests each spring 2. Ask whether a return visit is free if wasps come back within a set number of days.
How paper wasp nests are usually removed
This shows the order of work extension sources describe, so you know what to expect. It is not a guide to treating a nest yourself.
- Decide if it must go: Leave nests away from people 1. Remove those by doors, windows and play areas.
- Pick a cool time: Work is done early in the morning, when the wasps are cool, slow and still on the nest 2.
- Wear protection: A bee veil, suit and gloves are advised 2.
- Remove the nest: Utah State describes crushing and removing the nest; Texas A&M describes knocking nests off eaves with a high-pressure water spray from a distance, after which the wasps eventually abandon the nest 23. A professional may treat the nest with a labeled product before taking it down.
- Clean the spot: Wash the area with soap and water to remove the scent marks that draw wasps back 2.
- Prevent the next one: Fit tight window screens and reduce sheltered nesting spots 2.
Act in spring
A nest started in spring holds only the queen. UC IPM says knocking down newly started paper wasp nests early in the season often makes the queen leave 1.
No permit is needed to remove a nest at a home, but companies that apply pesticides for hire must be licensed by the state; see how licensing works.
Seasonal checks that keep paper wasps away
- Check eaves, porch ceilings, rails and play sets for new nests from early summer through fall 2.
- Cap or plug hollow pipes, fence posts and tubing where queens like to nest 2.
- Keep window screens tight and repaired 2.
- Look behind shutters and under grill covers in spring 4.
- Seal cracks and attic gaps in winter, when queens are not active.
These checks fit into wider entry point sealing. The seasonal pest calendar shows when wasps peak in your region.
When a professional is the better choice
Call a pro if anyone at home is allergic to stings, if the nest is high or hard to reach, if there are several nests, or if wasps are inside a wall or attic. Iowa State advises people who are or may be allergic not to try nest control themselves 4.
Call too if you are not sure what kind of wasp you have, because a closed nest may be a yellowjacket or hornet, which is a bigger risk. Our pest identifier can help you sort it out first.
Rules that govern paper wasp treatment
Federal (EPA, FIFRA): The EPA registers all pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. A product may be used only on pests and sites its label lists. Using it any other way violates federal law.
State: States license pest control companies and the people who apply pesticides for pay. You can check a company with the license lookup tool.
No protection: Paper wasps are not a protected species. Bees are a different matter, so confirm the insect before you act.
Paper wasp vs similar stinging insects
| Feature | Paper wasp | Yellowjacket | Bald-faced hornet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Slender, long legs dangle | Stout, bright bands 1 | Black and white 5 |
| Nest | Open comb on one stalk 3 | Covered nest, often underground 1 | Covered aerial nest, often a foot or more across 5 |
| Colony size | About 15–200 1 | About 1,500–15,000 1 | Hundreds to thousands (vespid range) 5 |
| Defense | Much less defensive 1 | Aggressive, rises late season 1 | Defends the nest hard |
Paper wasps are often confused with carpenter bees around eaves too, but carpenter bees bore round holes in wood instead of building paper nests.
Paper wasp myths, corrected
- Myth All wasps are equally aggressive.
- Reality Paper wasps are much less defensive than yellowjackets and rarely sting unless the nest is disturbed 1.
- Myth Males can sting too.
- Reality Only females sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube 3.
- Myth Every wasp nest must be destroyed.
- Reality Nests away from people usually need no treatment, and the wasps eat garden pests 13.
- Myth An empty nest will be used again next year.
- Reality Native queens start new nests each spring; the colony dies every fall 2.
Where species and seasons differ
Which paper wasp you meet depends on your region, and Texas A&M names Polistes exclamans and the red wasp as common Texas species 3. UC IPM lists golden-brown western species in California 1.
The invasive European paper wasp, first reported in Massachusetts in 1981, has since spread across the country 4. Because it nests in hidden spots and keeps larger colonies, homes in its range see more surprise stings.
When paper wasps matter to you, and your next step
The rule of thumb depends on where the nest sits. If it is away from doors, paths and play areas, leave it; the wasps help your garden and the colony dies in fall.
If it sits where people brush past it, remove it, ideally while it is small in spring. If anyone at home is allergic, have a professional do it.
Keep a phone photo of the nest from a safe distance. It helps a company confirm the species and quote the job.
Decision guide
If the nest is away from people, leave it. If it is by a door in early spring, it is small and easy to remove. If it is large or high, or someone at home is allergic, hire a licensed pro.
Questions about Paper Wasp
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Paper wasps are not very aggressive compared with other social wasps, and UC IPM calls them much less defensive than yellowjackets, and they rarely sting unless the nest is bumped or threatened.
Problems come when a nest is near a door, window or busy deck, because people disturb it by accident. Each female can sting more than once, so give any nest space.
How can I tell a paper wasp from a yellowjacket?
Look at the body and the nest together, since both differ. Paper wasps are slender, with long legs that hang down in flight, and they build an open comb you can see into.
Yellowjackets are stockier with bright bands, and they build a covered nest, usually underground or in a wall. The invasive European paper wasp has yellowjacket-like colors, so the dangling legs are the best clue.
Do paper wasps reuse their nests?
Native paper wasps do not reuse old nests. Utah State says the colony dies every fall and fertilized queens start new colonies each spring.
Queens may pick the same sheltered spot again, though, which is why a porch can have nests year after year.
Removing old nests and sealing gaps in winter reduces the chance of a repeat.
How many paper wasps live in one nest?
A paper wasp nest is small, usually a few dozen wasps. Texas A&M reports 20 to 30 adults in a mature nest with up to 200 cells, and UC IPM gives a range of about 15 to 200 wasps.
That is far fewer than a yellowjacket colony, which can hold thousands. The European paper wasp tends to keep larger colonies than native species.
When are paper wasps most active?
Paper wasps are most noticeable in late summer and fall, when colonies reach their largest size.
Iowa State notes that fall is when wasp numbers peak and people get stung by nests they had not seen.
In spring only the queen is working on a small nest, which makes it the easiest time to deal with a nest in a bad spot.
Are paper wasps beneficial?
Yes, paper wasps help control garden pests. Workers hunt caterpillars, flies and beetle larvae and feed them to their young, according to Texas A&M, and many gardeners count them as beneficial. If a nest is away from where people walk, extension experts say it usually needs no treatment.
Can paper wasps sting more than once?
Yes, a paper wasp can sting more than once. Its stinger is not barbed like a honey bee’s, so it does not get stuck in the skin, and only females sting, since the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Iowa State warns that a wasp caught under clothing can sting many times, so move away from a nest calmly and check your clothes.
Why do I find paper wasps inside my house in winter?
Wasps found indoors in winter are usually young queens that crept into cracks, attics or wall gaps to spend the cold months.
Texas A&M notes that queens overwinter in cracks, crevices and under bark. Warm days can wake them, and they wander toward windows and light.
Seal gaps around windows, siding and attic vents to keep them out.
What should I do if a paper wasp stings me?
Wash the sting with soap and water, put ice on it and avoid scratching, as CDC NIOSH advises. Most stings cause only local pain and swelling, but call 911 right away for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness. People with a known severe allergy should carry and use their prescribed epinephrine.
Sources
- UC Statewide IPM Program, Pest Notes: Yellowjackets and Other Social Wasps (Publication 7450), retrieved .
- Utah State University Extension, Paper Wasps (IPM nuisance pest note), retrieved .
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Field Guide to Common Texas Insects: Paper Wasp, retrieved .
- Iowa State University Extension, Watch out for European Paper Wasps (2016), retrieved .
- University of Florida IFAS, Yellowjackets and Hornets (EDIS IN238), retrieved .
- CDC NIOSH, Insects and Scorpions at Work, retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyrePest Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Nest, colony and behavior facts follow UC IPM Pest Notes 7450 and Texas A&M’s field guide; where colony counts differ, both figures are given.
Size, nest sites and removal steps follow Utah State Extension. European paper wasp facts follow Iowa State. Sting first aid follows CDC NIOSH. No prices or application rates are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.