Pest Expert Overview: Paper Wasps in Bryan & College Station
If you’ve lived a summer in College Station or Bryan, TX, you’ve undoubtedly encountered paper wasp nests hanging on your eaves. In nature, paper wasp nests can be found on limbs of trees, but in suburban environments throughout the Brazos Valley, they also nest around structures such as roofs, garage crevices, and chimneys.
Bodies of the paper wasp measure 13mm to 25mm, roughly the size of a marble, and have a very slender “waist.” Their nests are open honeycomb shape built by chewing wood and mixing it with saliva. They get their name “paper wasps” because these nests resemble the texture of paper.
Paper wasps belong to the insect Order Hymenoptera and Family Vespidae. Vespidae also includes hornets and yellowjackets. Nest construction is one thing that distinguishes paper wasps from others in the family. Paper wasps construct paper-like nests with open cells. Hornets construct similar nests, but the nest enclosed within a ball shape and a single opening. Yellowjackets are cavity nesters, constructing their nests in the ground or hollow spaces within trees or human structures. Both yellowjackets and hornets are far more aggressive in nest defense than are paper wasps.
There are approximately 1,100 species of paper wasp dispersed throughout the world except for Antarctica. The most common species found in Texas are P. exclamans (yellow and black coloration), P. carolina (solid red coloration), and P. metricus (red head and thorax with black abdomen).
Life Cycle
Adult paper wasps feed on spiders, caterpillars, and flies as well as nectar. Larvae are fed chewed up pieces of food dropped into their nest by the adults. In a process called malaxation, adult wasps use their mouth to crush the food until it’s the consistency of pulp, then its dropped in with the larva.
Each nest goes through a similar life cycle though there are minor differences in how the nest is started. The wasps behave differently depending on where they are in this cycle. The general process is explained below:
Reproductive Queens and males are produced from nests during the fall. During this time unfertilized eggs form the male drones while fertilized eggs form female wasps. After mating, Queens seek out winter shelter in cracks and crevices.
These Queens are referred to as Foundress Queens. They begin to awaken and start founding their colony from the beginning of March to the end of May. They build the nest’s foundation and lay its first eggs. During this time, Foundress Queens are not aggressive. Eggs hatch into grubs that the female will begin feeding insects. In turn, the grubs digest those insects then feed sugars back to the Queen.
The colony expands from the beginning of Spring through Fall. Grubs grow into worker wasps. Other wasps in the colony take over chores: building, cleaning, and guarding the nest; working in the nursery; helping new adults emerge. A mature nest usually contains 20 to 30 adult wasps, but may grow as large as 100 adults.
In late Fall, the Queen stops laying eggs which lead to declines in the number of grubs who supply workers with food. These hungry workers abandon the nests and wander, seeking nectar.
This timeline is mostly dictated by the weather rather than the calendar and will be affected by temperature fluctuations.
Why are they Pests?
Wasps are extremely beneficial as pollinators and as predators of plant pests. Because they defend their nests with the ability to deliver multiple, painful stings, nests located near human activity can be dangerous. The painful stings are typically not life-threatening, but in very rare circumstances, the sting can result in potentially deadly anaphylactic shock. Wasps, along with bees, account for around 50 deaths per year in the United States. Overwintering Foundress Queens may also become a nuisance in the Fall and Spring. Weather fluctuations during this time cause those attempting to overwinter in attics to awaken and try to find an exit. Since they simply fly towards light, the Queens may end up inside the house. They’re not aggressive in this situation, but will sting if they are accidentally smashed.
Paper Wasp Prevention
Make sure dark crevices are clean and check nearby areas for potential food sources such as spilled drinks. Keep a screen on open doors and windows so wasps can’t enter your home or office.
Professional Paper Wasp Control
If you are dealing with paper wasps, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
