Paper Wasps - How To Kill and Get Rid of Paper Wasps

Paper Wasp

(Actual Size - 3/4" - 1")

Paper wasps, also referred to as “umbrella wasps,” are very common as there are believed to be more than 1,000 species of them worldwide. In North America, there are over 22 species - all belonging to the Polistes genus. The paper wasp is one of the large wasp species, measuring between 3/4" and 1.0 inches long. Their bodies are slender and generally brown (but they can also be black or reddish in color), and feature yellow markings and black wings. Paper wasps get their name due to the manner in which they construct their nests.

In early spring, the queen comes out of hibernation (she is the only one survive the winter) and begins to construct the nest. She makes her nest by collecting plant and wood particles and mixing them with her saliva to form a very thin, paper-like material. She uses this material to form an open-celled nest that hangs from a single “stalk,” giving it the appearance of an upside-down umbrella.

Due to the fragile material used to make the nest, the queen will seek out a protected place before she begins construction. Her nest will most likely be found in a place that is protected from the elements such as, doorways, under a building eave, a door frame, under a tree limb, the garage, or even in dense vegetation and wood stacks. Once the nest has been made, she will begin laying her eggs. The queen will then forage for food, which is primarily nectar, caterpillars and other insects, to feed her young. As a result, paper wasps are an asset to the environment as they help with pollination while keeping the insect population down.

Once the first group of larvae (young) grows into adulthood, the queen begins to “reign” over them. These young then become the workers and assume duties such as food-gathering, nest-building and larvae-tending while the queen continues to lay eggs. If the queen dies, gets lost or meets another fate, the other females will fight and the most aggressive one will become the new queen and begin to lay eggs and dominate over the workers. In late summer or fall, the males, unmated females and the founding queen will all die. The mated females will go into hibernation for the winter and emerge in the spring to form their own colonies and start the process over.

While paper wasps can be dangerous and aggressive, the generally do not attack unless they are bothered or their nests are bothered. They will attack to protect their colony. Paper wasps attack by stinging their “prey,” and some mammals such as birds, wolves, cats and dogs can be highly susceptible to the toxins they release. Humans can also experience severe reactions, some fatal, when stung by paper wasps. This is why it is important to eliminate any paper wasp nests that you find on or near your home, garage or any other outbuilding or area you frequent.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Paper Wasps

1. Eliminate nests with Wasp Freeze - a professional quality wasp killer that "freezes" wasps on contact. A large nest can easily be killed by simply applying Wasp Freeze, as all effected wasps will fall to the ground.
2. Kill and repel wasps from around homes and buildings by using a fast acting insecticide such as Onslaught FastCap, or Demon WP. Be sure to spray under eaves and under and behind shrubs, and other areas where wasps can hide or build nests. Do this every few weeks during the spring, summer and early fall for best results.
3. Use a fast acting insecticidal dust such as Cynoff Dust and apply using the Puffer Duster to hidden areas such as inside eaves, attics, soffits and other places. If wasps are inside of walls and hidden areas, you may need to drill holes using a hand drill and inject the dust through the holes.
4. Use specially designed Wasp Traps, such as the Advantage Flying Insect Trap to trap and kill wasps. Be sure to use a quality lure such as Invite Liquid Wasp and Yellow Jacket Lure.
5. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate, such as planters, used tires, etc.
6. Spray all affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught, Demand CS or Suspend SC.
7. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower.