Wasp nests are complex structures built by various species. Identifying their appearance is crucial for distinguishing between different types of wasps and understanding how to approach them.
Common Wasp Nest Types and Their Appearance
Wasp nests are constructed from a papery material, created by wasps chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva. The nest’s appearance varies significantly by species.
Paper wasp nests often resemble an open, inverted umbrella or a teardrop. They feature visible hexagonal cells on the underside, uncovered by an outer layer. These nests are typically gray and papery.
Yellowjacket nests are generally enclosed structures, often spherical or oval in shape. They are built from multiple layers of a grayish-brown, papery material. Unlike paper wasp nests, yellowjacket nests usually have a single, small entrance hole, making the internal hexagonal combs hidden from view.
Hornet nests, such as those of bald-faced hornets, are typically large, enclosed, and often pear-shaped or football-shaped. They are made from a tough, laminated paper material, which can appear gray. Bald-faced hornet nests are known for their distinctive gray, papier-mâché appearance and a single entrance hole.
Typical Nest Locations
Wasp species tend to favor specific locations for building their nests, influenced by factors like shelter and accessibility. Knowing these common sites can help in locating a nest.
Paper wasp nests are frequently found in sheltered, elevated areas, often attached by a single stalk. Common spots include under eaves, porch ceilings, window frames, deck railings, open-ended pipes, or unused umbrellas.
Yellowjacket nests commonly occur in hidden or enclosed spaces. Many species prefer underground burrows, often utilizing abandoned rodent tunnels. They can also nest in wall voids, attics, hollow logs, tree stumps, and other protected cavities.
Hornet nests are typically built in trees, shrubs, or on structures, often in high or sheltered spots. Bald-faced hornets frequently construct their large, spherical nests in trees or large bushes at least three feet off the ground, or hanging from eaves and roofs. European hornets often nest in wall voids, attics, or hollow trees, concealing their nests within dark spaces.
Key Distinguishing Features
Differentiating wasp nests from those of other insects, such as bees or mud daubers, is important for accurate identification. Each insect constructs its nest using distinct materials and designs.
Wasp nests are characterized by their papery construction. In contrast, bee nests, like honeybee hives, are constructed from wax and feature waxy, hexagonal combs. Bees also store honey and pollen within their nests, which is not found in wasp nests.
Mud dauber nests are distinctly different, being made entirely of mud. These nests often appear as tube-shaped or organ-pipe-shaped structures, or sometimes as small, solitary mud chambers. Their earthy, hardened appearance contrasts sharply with the fibrous, papery texture of wasp nests.
Nest Size and Growth
Wasp nests undergo significant growth throughout their active season, starting small and expanding considerably as the colony develops. This progression affects their overall size and appearance.
Wasp nests typically begin small in the spring, often initiated by a single queen, appearing as tiny structures the size of a walnut or golf ball. As the colony grows throughout the summer, the nest expands, reaching its largest size by late summer or early fall.
The typical dimensions of mature wasp nests vary by species. Paper wasp nests can range from a few inches to a foot or more across, sometimes containing hundreds of cells. Yellowjacket nests can grow to the size of a basketball, housing thousands of workers and up to 15,000 cells by late summer. Hornet nests, such as bald-faced hornets, can be quite large, reaching up to two feet in length and over a foot in diameter, often resembling a football. Some yellowjacket “super nests” in mild climates can reach the size of a car, containing over 100,000 workers.