What Are Wasps? A Complete Guide

Let’s face it: Wasps have a bad reputation. They buzz all over your hamburgers and hot dogs at cookouts, making it hard to work in the garden without worrying about getting stung. Although wasps can be dangerous at times, there are some benefits to having them around. So what are wasps, and how can they help your yard? Learn everything you need to know about these complex insects.

What Are Wasps?

Wasps are insects within the suborder Apocrita of the order Hymenoptera. Wasps are related to bees and ants, which are also in the Apocrita suborder. There are an estimated 100,000 types of wasps around the world, including about 22 species of hornets, which are a type of wasp.

Wasps tend to have narrow waists and come in a variety of colors. While you may be familiar with yellow-and-black yellow jackets, wasps can range in colors, from the black-and-white bald-faced wasps to the metallic-green cuckoo wasp.

Wasps are often solitary, meaning they do not live in colonies like honeybees. Although wasp stings can be painful, most wasps only sting if you come near their nests. While adult wasps may prey on other insects, like caterpillars and beetles, they don’t feed on them. Instead, they feed larva with their catches, typically feeding on nectar or pollen for themselves.

Common Wasp Types

With tens of thousands of wasp species worldwide, it’s hard to narrow down the most common varieties. However, you’re more likely to come across these types of wasps in your own backyard.

Yellow Jackets

There are several different types of yellow jackets, but these are some of the most well-known wasp types. They have long, yellow-and-black striped bodies and aren’t too shy to fly toward your plate when they smell fruit or grilled meat. They are often confused with bees, but one easy way to tell bees and yellow jackets apart is by looking for a furry appearance on bees (yellow jackets appear smooth).

Paper Wasps

Like yellow jackets, paper wasps can be broken down into several different species. While many paper wasp species can look like other types of wasps, an easy way to identify these wasps is by their nests. Paper wasps build nests with regurgitated wood pulp, so the nests may look like they are made from paper.

Hornets

Hornets are a type of wasp that tend to be larger than many other wasp species, measuring ¾ to 2 inches long. Hornets have black and white colorations. Globally, there are only about 22 species of hornets, and in the U.S., there is only one non-native true hornet species: the European hornet.

Pros and Cons of Wasps

If you’ve ever been stung by a wasp, you may feel some fear around these insects. While they can be annoying and aggressive, there are also some benefits to having them around your garden.

Pros of Wasps

Wasps are an essential part of ecosystems. As predators, they help control other species of arthropods. They can minimize the amount of caterpillars, beetles, and other pests that destroy your plants.

Another major benefit of wasps is that they can help with pollination. Adult wasps may feed on nectar and transfer pollen as they fly from plant to plant.

Cons of Wasps

The main drawback to finding wasps around your yard is that they can become aggressive and sting you or your family members. For some people, this is a painful experience. For anyone allergic to wasps, it can be extremely dangerous, which is why it can be crucial to get rid of wasps safely.

In building their nests, wasps can also become a nuisance. They may damage untreated wood around your property as they collect material for their nests, and they can build nests several inches wide, even up to the size of a basketball, off your shed roofs, your home’s roof eaves, or even in your garage.

Cost of Removing Wasps From Your Yard

When you find a nest of wasps, you may need to relocate it if the wasps are becoming aggressive. Wasp removal costs about $375, depending on the size and location of the nest. Wasps don’t tend to live in large colonies like bees, but nests with 50 or more wasps may cost over $500 to remove.

Although you may be tempted to remove a nest yourself, wasp removal is best left to professionals. Wasps can become aggressive and territorial when you come near their nests, and they can unleash multiple, painful stings to keep threats away. Instead, hire a local exterminator to investigate the wasp nest, determine the best course of action for it, and remove it safely. 

How to Prevent Wasps From Swarming Your Home

If someone in your household is allergic to wasp stings, it’s essential to keep hornets from nesting near your home. When nesting, wasps look for small cracks and crevices or other openings around the house or even in the yard to protect their young. They’ll also be searching for food sources. By eliminating places for wasps to nest and things for them to eat and feed their young, you have a better chance of keeping wasps away.

You can also hire an insect control company to help wasp-proof your yard, whether you want to prevent wasps in the first place or get rid of an existing nest.

Seal Openings

Use caulk, putty, or another sealant to coat any cracks, holes, gaps, or other openings around your home. Look along roof eaves, around porch ceilings and walls for openings, as wasps gravitate toward these areas for protection to build their nests.

Clean Up and Cover Trash

After hosting your big summer barbecue, it may be tempting to leave some of the mess to clean up later. But make sure to pick up any trash, especially food, to avoid attracting wasps. Keep lids on trash and compost bins. If you have fruiting plants, make sure to harvest ripe fruits and compost any fallen, overripe fruits on the ground.

Fill Holes

Not all wasps build their nests on your shed or porch. Some wasps, like mud-daubers, may nest in the ground. Wasps may take the easy route, too, by building nests in existing holes or other animals’ burrows. Make sure you’ve filled any holes in your yard to minimize the chance of wasps making these holes their homes.

Landscape With Wasp-Repelling Plants

Wasps may be attracted to nectar, some plants can help deter these pests. Basil, mint, and thyme are great wasp-repelling plants to add to your herb garden. For flowers, add geraniums and marigolds. Wormwood, citronella, and lemongrass are great options for adding greenery while repelling wasps and other pests.