Wasps do not consume wood for nutritional purposes. Instead, certain wasp species use wood fibers as a building material for their nests. This distinction is important for understanding their activity around wooden structures.
How Wasps Utilize Wood
Many social wasps, including paper wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, construct their nests by processing wood fibers. They scrape wood fibers from sources like fences, logs, unpainted furniture, or cardboard. This raw wood material is then chewed and mixed with saliva, whose enzymes break down the wood’s cellulose, creating a soft, pulp-like substance.
This wood pulp, sometimes described as a form of papier-mâché, is then spread in layers to form the nest’s structure. As the wet cellulose fibers dry, they harden into a sturdy, paper-like material. The resulting nest can vary in color, reflecting the diverse wood sources used by the wasps. While the queen initiates the nest, worker wasps continue to expand it throughout the season, adding more hexagonal cells for the colony’s growth.
Differentiating Wasp Activity from Other Pests
Wasp wood-chewing activity differs from the damage caused by other wood-destroying pests like termites and carpenter ants. Wasps scrape wood surfaces for nest material, resulting in shallow grooves or scraped areas. This damage is cosmetic and does not compromise the structural integrity of the wood. A rasping sound or small, rolled-up balls of wood fibers indicate their activity.
In contrast, termites consume wood internally, creating tunnels and galleries that can lead to significant structural damage. Their activity leaves behind mud tubes on surfaces or frass, which resembles sawdust but is actually termite droppings. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but excavate tunnels within it for nesting. They push out sawdust-like frass, distinguishable from wasp activity by its larger, more uniform particles and insect body parts. Unlike the clean, paper-like material of a wasp nest, termite and carpenter ant activity involves tunneling and can result in weakened or hollowed wood.
Managing Wasp Wood-Chewing
To reduce wasp wood-chewing on structures, proactive measures can be effective. Sealing and painting exposed wooden surfaces, such as decks, fences, and outdoor furniture, makes the wood less appealing for wasps seeking fibers. Applying wood sealants, stains, or paint can deny wasps a suitable surface to scrape. Regularly inspecting and maintaining wooden elements can also help identify and address any early signs of wasp activity.
Natural deterrents can discourage wasps from chewing on wood. Essential oils like peppermint, citronella, or clove oil can be sprayed on wooden surfaces, as their strong scents repel wasps. Rubbing a bar of soap on the undersides of wooden structures may also deter them. If a wasp nest is already established and causing concern, especially if it’s large, in a high-traffic area, or if individuals have allergies, professional pest control intervention is recommended for safe and effective removal.