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Wasps & Hornets

Stylized illustration of wasps & hornets

By The Pest Guide Team · Updated
Edited by Fellipe Antequera · Editorial policy

If you are standing on your back porch wondering why half a dozen striped flyers have suddenly claimed your patio table, you are likely looking at a member of this mixed bag of social colonists and solitary hunters. While library catalogues lump these species together under one heading, they actually split into two very different lifestyles, ranging from aggressive yellowjacket colonies that build enclosed paper nests inside wall voids to mild-mannered paper wasps that string open umbrella combs beneath your eaves and solitary mud daubers that mind their own business.

Spotting the difference between this group and their fuzzy, pollen-carrying bee neighbors comes down to a few naked-eye details, starting with the smooth, hairless body cuticles and that signature narrow waist that separates them from broad-waisted sawflies and wood wasps. You will notice they move in quick, darting flights rather than buzzing lazily from bloom to bloom, and while native species play a genuinely helpful role by hunting garden caterpillars to feed their young, invasive predators like the yellow-legged hornet require a call to state agriculture officials rather than a DIY spray can.

Explore wasps & hornets

Illustration of German yellowjacketGerman yellowjacketVespula germanicaIllustration of Eastern yellowjacketEastern yellowjacketVespula maculifronsIllustration of Western yellowjacketWestern yellowjacketVespula pensylvanicaIllustration of Bald-faced hornetBald-faced hornetDolichovespula maculataIllustration of European hornetEuropean hornetVespa crabroIllustration of Yellow-legged hornetYellow-legged hornetVespa velutinaIllustration of European paper waspEuropean paper waspPolistes dominulaIllustration of Paper waspsPaper waspsPolistes speciesIllustration of Mud daubersMud daubersSceliphron and Chalybion speciesIllustration of Eastern cicada killerEastern cicada killerSphecius speciosusIllustration of Blue mud dauberBlue mud dauberChalybion californicum

Questions about wasps & hornets

Wasps & HornetsWhat does a paper wasp nest look like?Learn what a paper wasp nest looks like, how to identify it safely, and what to do when you find one near your home.Wasps & HornetsHow is a wasp nest removed safely?Learn how to safely identify and remove wasp nests around the home, with essential safety warnings and practical guidance.Wasps & HornetsWhat are ground wasps?Learn what ground wasps are, how to identify different species nesting in your yard, and when to seek professional pest control.Wasps & HornetsAsian hornet vs European hornet: how can you tell?Asian hornets are smaller, with a dark velvety thorax, yellow leg tips and one orange band. European hornets are larger with reddish-brown heads.Wasps & HornetsWhat does an Asian hornet nest look like?Learn what an Asian hornet nest looks like across its seasonal phases, how to identify it, and what steps to take safely.Wasps & HornetsHow do you report a suspected Asian hornet in the UK?Learn how to identify and report a suspected Asian hornet in the UK safely and accurately.Wasps & HornetsHow do you deal with a wasp nest in a wall?Learn how to safely handle a wasp nest hidden inside a wall void without causing an indoor invasion or risking dangerous stings.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you do about a yellow jacket nest in the ground?Leave a ground yellow jacket nest alone if nobody walks there, since frost kills it. Near paths or pets, treat it at night or call a pro.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you do about yellow jackets in a wall?Never seal the hole of a yellow jacket nest in a wall. Trapped wasps can chew through drywall into your home. Call a licensed professional.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a mud dauber nest on a house look like?Learn what mud dauber nests look like on a house, how to identify them by shape and material, and how to safely remove them.Wasps & HornetsWhen does a mud dauber nest need removal?Learn when a mud dauber nest actually needs to be removed, how to identify it, and how to handle it safely.Wasps & HornetsHow is a bald-faced hornet nest dealt with?Learn how to safely identify and deal with bald-faced hornet nests around the home.Wasps & HornetsDo cicada killer wasps sting?An honest look at cicada killer wasps, their sting risk, how to identify them, and what to do when they show up on your lawn.Wasps & HornetsAre cicada killer wasps dangerous?No. Cicada killers are big but do not guard their nests. Males cannot sting, and females sting only if stepped on or squeezed.Wasps & HornetsHow do you deal with cicada killer wasps in a yard?Learn how to identify cicada killer wasps, understand their behavior, and decide the safest way to manage them in your yard.Wasps & HornetsWhat is an eastern cicada killer wasp?Learn what an eastern cicada killer wasp is, how to identify it, and what to do when you find one tunneling in your yard.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you do about a wasp nest under a deck?Learn how to identify and deal with wasp nests under your deck safely and effectively.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you do about wasps entering siding?Learn what to do when wasps enter your home siding, how to identify them safely, and when to call a professional.Wasps & HornetsYellow jacket vs wasp sting: can you tell by the reaction?Learn whether a yellow jacket sting differs from a wasp sting by looking at skin reactions, physical evidence, and what steps to take next.Wasps & HornetsWhat swelling after a yellow jacket sting warrants attention?Learn which symptoms and swelling after a yellow jacket sting require medical attention versus normal home treatment.Wasps & HornetsCan a yellow jacket sting more than once?Learn whether yellow jackets can sting more than once, how to identify them, what first aid to use, and when to seek emergency medical help.Wasps & HornetsWhat is a red paper wasp sting?Learn what a red paper wasp sting is, how to identify the insect and its nest, what first aid to apply, and when to seek emergency medical care.Wasps & HornetsWhat is a European paper wasp sting?Learn what a European paper wasp sting feels like, how to identify the culprit, manage the symptoms safely, and know when to seek emergency medical help.Wasps & HornetsWasp vs hornet sting: is there a reliable difference?Examine the real medical and physical differences between wasp and hornet stings, how to identify the culprits, and when to seek medical or professional help.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you do after a bald-faced hornet sting?Learn what to do after a bald-faced hornet sting, how to identify the insect, and when to seek urgent medical help.Wasps & HornetsWhat symptoms after a hornet sting need urgent care?Learn which hornet sting symptoms demand immediate emergency care, how to tell what happened, and when to call a professional.Wasps & HornetsIs the yellow-legged hornet invasive in the United States?Yes. The yellow-legged hornet is established in the US after being found near Savannah, Georgia, and officials are working to destroy nests.Wasps & HornetsWhat happens after a yellow-legged hornet sting?Learn what happens physically after a yellow-legged hornet sting, how to identify the pest, what steps to take next, and when to seek medical help.Wasps & HornetsHow big is a yellow-legged hornet?Learn how big yellow-legged hornets are, how to identify them correctly, and what steps to take if you spot one near your home.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a yellow-legged hornet nest look like?Learn what a yellow-legged hornet nest looks like across its seasonal phases, how to identify it, and what safe steps to take.Wasps & HornetsYellow-legged hornet vs Asian giant hornet: what is different?Yellow-legged hornets are 0.7 to 1 inch with yellow leg tips and nest high in trees. Northern giant hornets reach 2 inches and nest underground.Wasps & HornetsAre mud daubers aggressive?No. Mud daubers are solitary wasps with no colony to defend and almost never sting unless they are trapped or handled.Wasps & HornetsAre mud daubers wasps?Learn what mud daubers are, how they differ from social wasps, and how to identify and manage their nests safely.Wasps & HornetsAre mud daubers dangerous?Mud daubers look alarming but rarely sting. Learn how to tell them from aggressive wasps, why they hunt black widows, and when removal or a pro makes sense.Wasps & HornetsWhat do mud daubers eat?Discover what mud daubers eat, how their diet shifts from adults to larvae, and how to identify and safely manage their nests.Wasps & HornetsWhat are blue mud daubers?Learn what blue mud daubers are, how they behave, how to identify them, and whether you need to worry about them around your home.Wasps & HornetsWhat are mud daubers?Learn what mud daubers are, how to identify their nests, and how to safely handle them around your home.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a cicada killer wasp nest look like?Learn what a cicada killer wasp nest looks like, how to identify these solitary digger wasps, and what practical steps to take when they appear in your lawn.Wasps & HornetsWhat is a giant cicada killer wasp?Learn how to identify giant cicada killer wasps, understand their habits, and figure out whether they pose a threat to your yard.Wasps & HornetsAre bald-faced hornets aggressive?Bald-faced hornets ignore people away from the nest, but disturbing their paper nest sets off a fast, coordinated attack.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a bald-faced hornet queen look like?Learn what a bald-faced hornet queen looks like, how to identify her, and how to handle a nest safely around your home.Wasps & HornetsBald-faced hornet vs paper wasp: how can you tell?Bald-faced hornets are stout, black and ivory, with enclosed football-shaped nests in trees. Paper wasps are slender and build open umbrella nests.Wasps & HornetsWhat is the habitat of a bald-faced hornet?Learn about the habitat, identification, and safe management of bald-faced hornets around your home.Wasps & HornetsWhat is the common blue mud dauber?The common blue mud dauber is a metallic blue-black solitary wasp that reuses old mud nests and stocks them with paralyzed spiders.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a blue mud dauber nest look like?Learn what a blue mud dauber nest looks like, how these solitary wasps recycle old clay structures, and the safest way to remove them from your home.Wasps & HornetsWhat happens if a blue mud dauber stings you?Learn what happens when a blue mud dauber stings you, how to identify the wasp, home treatment steps, and when to seek medical help.Wasps & HornetsWhat can an Asian hornet nest look like in the UK?Learn what Asian hornet nests look like in the UK through the seasons, how to identify them safely, and what steps to take next.Wasps & HornetsWhen is it safe to remove a wasp nest?Learn when it is safe to remove a wasp nest, how to identify active versus inactive nests, and when to call a professional.Wasps & HornetsWhere has the yellow-legged hornet been found in Georgia?Discover where the yellow-legged hornet has been found in Georgia, how to identify it, and what steps to take if you spot one.Wasps & HornetsHas the yellow-legged hornet been found in North Carolina?Find out if the yellow-legged hornet has been found in North Carolina, how to identify it, and what steps to take if you spot one.Wasps & HornetsWhere are cicada killer wasps found?Learn where cicada killer wasps are found, how to identify them safely, and what to do when they appear on your property.Wasps & HornetsAre cicada killer wasps found in Texas?Learn how to identify cicada killer wasps in Texas, understand their behavior, and decide when you need professional help.Wasps & HornetsAre cicada killer wasps found in Kansas?Discover whether cicada killer wasps are found in Kansas, how to identify them safely, and when you actually need to take action.Wasps & HornetsAre bald-faced hornets found in Washington State?Yes. Bald-faced hornets are native and common in Washington State. They are black and white, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, with an ivory face.Wasps & HornetsPaper wasp nest vs yellow jacket nest: what can you see from a safe distance?Learn how to tell a paper wasp nest from a yellow jacket nest from a safe distance, and find out when you need professional help.Wasps & HornetsPaper wasp nest vs bald-faced hornet nest: how do shapes differ?Learn the visual differences between paper wasp nests and bald-faced hornet nests, covering shape, location, behavior, and removal precautions.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a red paper wasp nest look like?Learn what a red paper wasp nest looks like, how to identify it from other stinging insects, and what steps to take safely.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a European paper wasp nest look like?Learn what a European paper wasp nest looks like, how to identify it, and how to deal with it safely.Wasps & HornetsWhen do paper wasps reuse a nesting area?Learn why paper wasps return to the same spots every spring, how to identify their nests, and when to call for professional help.Wasps & HornetsWhy is opening a wall around a suspected wasp nest unsafe?Understand why opening a wall with a wasp nest is dangerous, how to identify the pests safely, and what steps to take next.Wasps & HornetsWhen is a yellow jacket nest near a walkway a professional job?Learn when a yellow jacket nest near a walkway requires professional pest control versus DIY methods, safety warnings, and identification tips.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a bald-faced hornet nest look like from a distance?Learn what a bald-faced hornet nest looks like from a distance, how to identify it safely, and what steps to take when one appears near your home.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you ask before bald-faced hornet nest removal?Learn what questions to ask, how to identify bald-faced hornets, and when to call a professional before attempting nest removal.Wasps & HornetsAre mud dauber nests the same as social wasp nests?Discover the main differences between mud dauber nests and social wasp nests, how to identify them, and what steps to take safely.Wasps & HornetsWhy are mud dauber nests attached to a house wall?Learn why mud dauber wasps attach their nests to house walls, how to identify them, and how to safely remove them.Wasps & HornetsDo cicada killer wasps build colonies in lawns?Learn why cicada killer wasps do not build social colonies in lawns, how to identify them correctly, and what steps to take for lawn management.Wasps & HornetsWhat does a cicada killer burrow look like?Learn what a cicada killer burrow looks like, how to identify these solitary wasps, and what to do when you find them in your lawn.Wasps & HornetsAre blue mud daubers aggressive?Learn the truth about blue mud daubers, their docile nature, how to identify them, and when removal or medical attention is necessary.Wasps & HornetsBlue mud dauber vs black and yellow mud dauber: what is different?Compare the blue mud dauber and the black and yellow mud dauber to understand their differences in appearance, nesting habits, and spider prey.Wasps & HornetsAsian hornet vs European hornet in the UK: what can be identified safely?Learn how to safely tell the difference between the invasive Asian hornet and the native European hornet in the UK.Wasps & HornetsWhere should a suspected Asian hornet sighting be reported in the UK?Learn where and how to report a suspected Asian hornet sighting in the UK, how to identify the pest, and what official steps follow.Wasps & HornetsWhat should you check before arranging wasp nest removal in the UK?Before UK wasp nest removal, check whether it is a native wasp, a protected bee or an invasive Asian hornet, which must be reported.Wasps & HornetsWhat is the difference between a yellow jacket nest and a paper wasp nest?Learn the difference between yellow jacket and paper wasp nests, including identification, safe removal decisions, and when to call a professional.Wasps & HornetsWhen should you leave a wasp nest to a professional?Learn when a wasp nest requires professional removal, how to identify common stinging insects, and the safety risks involved.Wasps & HornetsIs the yellow-legged hornet the same as the Asian hornet?Understand the relationship between the yellow-legged hornet and the Asian hornet, and learn how to identify, monitor, and report them safely.Wasps & HornetsIs a mud nest made by a mud dauber or another wasp?Learn how to identify mud dauber nests, distinguish them from other wasps, and decide whether to remove them or leave them alone.Wasps & HornetsIs a large ground-nesting wasp a cicada killer or a yellow jacket?Learn how to distinguish between a cicada killer and a yellow jacket when you spot a large ground-nesting wasp in your yard.Wasps & HornetsShould a bee nest in a wall be handled differently from a wasp nest?Learn why bee nests in walls require a completely different approach than wasp nests, from identification to safe removal.Wasps & HornetsCan a sting photo identify the wasp species?Explaining why a photograph of a skin sting cannot identify a wasp species, and what steps to take instead for proper identification and safety.Wasps & HornetsDoes a suspected Asian hornet nest need to be reported?Learn why a suspected Asian hornet nest needs to be reported, how to correctly identify the invasive insect, and what steps authorities take next.Wasps & HornetsGerman wasp vs paper wasp nest: how can you tell?Learn how to tell the difference between a German wasp nest and a paper wasp nest with clear visual cues and practical removal advice.Wasps & HornetsWhich wasps are introduced pests in New Zealand?New Zealand's introduced pest wasps are social wasps of the Vespinae subfamily that build huge colonies with thousands of workers by late summer.

Research sources

This page was researched with publications from these institutions, then written and reviewed by The Pest Guide Team: