Identifying Wasps
Wasp is a broad term that covers an estimated 30,000 species of flying insects. The most common types in North America are paper wasps, yellow jackets, and bald-faced hornets.
These pests can be up to one and a half inches long and come in a stunning variety of colors including red, yellow, orange, white, and blue. These hues often appear in bands across the abdomen that alternate with a darker color. Stinging wasps typically look brighter.
Wasp Habitat
As their name implies, paper wasps live in papery nests that they construct in trees and the eaves of houses. Bald-faced hornets build similar nests. In both cases, the insects chew wood fibers to make papery pulp.
Many wasp species look like bees, but wasps can be distinguished by their narrow waists and pointed lower abdomens. Furthermore, wasps are able sting multiple times while bees can do so only once.
Yellow jackets nest in the ground, often repurposing unused rodent burrows.
Wasp Images
