How Deep in the Ground Do Yellow Jacket Nests Go?

Yellow jackets are common social wasps with distinctive black and yellow markings. These insects, belonging to the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula, are highly organized, living in colonies with a queen, workers, and males. Yellow jackets prey on other insects, but can become a nuisance when nests are near human activity. Their life cycle is annual, with new nests typically started by a single queen each spring.

Where Yellow Jackets Construct Nests

Yellow jackets build paper-like nests in various protected locations. Many species, particularly those in the Vespula genus, commonly construct their nests underground. They often use existing cavities like abandoned rodent burrows, expanding these spaces as the colony grows. Signs of an underground nest include small piles of excavated dirt and stones around a narrow entrance hole, often no larger than a nickel.

Some yellow jacket species, such as those in the Dolichovespula genus, build aerial nests that are visible and often suspended from tree branches or attached to structures like building eaves. Additionally, nests can be found in other concealed spaces, including hollow logs, tree stumps, wall voids, attics, and even in dense vegetation or utility vaults. The queen initiates nest construction by chewing wood fibers into a pulp to create the first cells. As the colony develops, worker wasps take over the tasks of nest expansion, foraging, and caring for the queen and larvae.

Typical Dimensions of Underground Nests

Underground yellow jacket nests generally consist of multiple horizontal tiers of paper-like combs enclosed within a protective outer envelope. These subterranean nests typically range from just below the surface to about 12 inches deep. Some nests extend deeper, with reported depths of almost two feet, and rarely, up to four feet, especially if they follow existing burrows.

Underground nests grow considerably throughout the season. Typical nests range from approximately 3.7 to 11.8 inches in diameter. By late summer, a mature colony contains thousands of wasps and up to 10,000 to 15,000 cells. Their size can be compared to a basketball by season’s end. The paper material of the nest can vary in color depending on the source of the wood.

Factors Influencing Nest Size and Depth

Several factors influence a yellow jacket nest’s ultimate size and depth. Specific yellow jacket species play a significant role; some naturally build larger colonies. Colony age and maturity are also important, as nests grow continuously through spring and summer, peaking in late summer or early fall.

Environmental conditions greatly affect nest development. For underground nests, the type of soil can influence how easily the wasps can excavate and expand their subterranean chambers. The availability of nesting material also contributes to the nest’s growth. Mild winters, especially in southern regions, can allow some nests to persist for over one season, leading to exceptionally large “super nests” that can house tens of thousands of wasps and reach massive dimensions. These multi-year colonies are an exception to the typical annual life cycle of most yellow jacket nests.

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