Do Paper Wasps Sting? Are They Dangerous?
Short answer: the paper wasp can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.
Risk rating: Can bite or sting
Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.
Are paper wasps dangerous to humans?
Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.
On our four-level scale, the paper wasp is rated can bite or sting, meaning it can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Paper Wasps can sting, so it is worth handling them with care.
Are they dangerous to pets?
Paper Wasps can bite or sting curious pets that paw at them or try to eat them. Watch for swelling, drooling or limping, and call your veterinarian right away if your pet has trouble breathing or a large reaction.
Can they damage your home or garden?
Paper Wasps don't damage homes, though nests in walls or eaves are a stinging hazard.
What to do if you are stung
- Move away from the area to avoid more stings.
- If a stinger is left in the skin, scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or card.
- Wash with soap and water and apply a cold pack.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever or antihistamine if needed, following the label.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
How to identify paper wasps
A slender wasp with long, dangling legs that builds open, umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, railings and grills. It hunts caterpillars to feed its young.
- Long, thin body with a narrow waist
- Legs dangle below the body in flight
- Open, uncovered comb nest shaped like an upside-down umbrella
| Scientific name | Polistes spp. |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 16–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) |
| Colors | Brown, Yellow, Red and Black |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Indoors, anywhere and Garden or plants |
| Most active | Spring and Summer |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Can bite or sting |
When you'll see paper wasps
Paper Wasps are most active in spring and summer. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: indoors, anywhere and garden or plants.
About bees & wasps
The paper wasp is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
How to avoid problems with paper wasps
- Knock down small starter nests early in spring
- Treat nests at dusk when the wasps are inside
- Check eaves, sheds and play equipment regularly
Frequently asked questions
Do paper wasps bite?
No. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.
Do paper wasps sting?
Yes, they can sting.
Are paper wasps poisonous?
The paper wasp can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.
Where do paper wasps live?
Paper Wasps are usually found indoors and in gardens and on plants, and are most active in spring and summer.