Paper Wasps
Polistes spp.
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Size & Characteristics: Paper wasp adults are about 5/8 to 3/4 in (16-20 mm) long. Paper wasps have long legs. The middle tibia has 2 apical spurs.
Color: Brownish with yellow markings; some species with reddish markings.
Geographic Range: Various species throughout the United States.
Comparison with other species: Yellowjacket, hornet, potter and mason wasps, and the spider wasp all share similarities with paper wasps.
Habitat: Paper wasps make paper-like nests with an umbrella-like shape. There is a single layer of comb with cells that open downward, hanging down by a single, narrow strand. There is no outer "envelope". The cells remain open. The thin strand may help keep ants and other intruders out. Nests are smaller than 6 by 8 inches, with about 150-250 cells.
Food: Paper wasps eat insects and nectar.
Biology: A paper wasp queen that has overwintered begins to build a nest in the spring. This primary queen nest-builder may be joined by other, secondary, queens in building and maintaining the nest. The secondary queens then will not lay eggs. However, if the dominant queen dies, one of these secondary queens may take over the egg laying, so that the nest can survive. A single egg is laid in each open cell and the larvae are fed protein from insects. Later the cells are capped when the larvae are ready to pupate.
Invasion: Nests are hung from almost any protected structure-twigs and branches of trees and shrubs, porch ceilings, window and door frames, soffits and eaves, rafters, deck floor joists, railings.
Damage: Paper wasps are beneficial insects. They feed on many insect pests. However, they can and do sting when disturbed, which can be a problem if a nest is touched by someone doing pruning or fruit picking, or if there is a lot of human activity near a nest.
Environmental Policy
The employees of American Pest Management are committed to improving the quality of life for all of our customers by providing the safest and most effective treatment for the management of pests which pose a threat to their health, property, and food supply. History has shown that neglecting to control pests such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks, and the misapplication of pest control products are equally dangerous.
