How to Get Rid of Paper Wasps

Confirm you have paper wasps

Before you treat anything, make sure you are really dealing with paper wasps. Adults measure 16–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) and are usually brown, yellow, red and black. Look for these features:

• Long, thin body with a narrow waist
• Legs dangle below the body in flight
• Open, uncovered comb nest shaped like an upside-down umbrella

They are most often confused with yellowjacket and mud dauber. See the full paper wasp profile for side-by-side details.

Why you have paper wasps

Paper Wasps nest in sheltered spots close to food, water and building materials. Late-summer colonies are at their largest and most defensive. Sweet drinks, open trash and pet food attract foraging workers. They are most active in spring and summer, so expect to see more of them then.

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.

Step-by-step: getting rid of paper wasps

Step 1: Knock down small starter nests early in spring

Knock down small starter nests early in spring. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.

Step 2: Treat nests at dusk when the wasps are inside

Treat nests at dusk when the wasps are inside. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.

Step 3: Check eaves

Check eaves, sheds and play equipment regularly. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.

Natural and low-toxicity options

These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:

• Keep food and drinks covered outdoors.
• Use lidded trash cans and rinse recycling.
• Hang traps away from where people gather.
• Avoid swatting, which can provoke more stings.

If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.

When to call a professional

Never try to remove a large or hidden nest yourself, especially if you are allergic to stings. A pest professional has protective gear and can treat nests in walls or underground safely.

How to keep paper wasps from coming back

• Inspect eaves, sheds and play sets in spring for small starter nests.
• Seal openings in siding and soffits.
• Fill in holes in lawns and garden beds.
• Wear shoes outdoors, especially on grass.

Safety notes

Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions