Pest Library
Wasps & Hornets
Paper wasps, yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets.
Overview
Three stinging insects account for most residential calls here. Paper wasps build small open, umbrella-shaped combs under eaves, railings and grill covers. Yellowjackets nest in ground cavities, wall voids and under siding. Bald-faced hornets build the large gray football-shaped aerial nests seen in trees and on roof edges.
Colonies start small in spring and grow all season. By late summer, a nest that went unnoticed in June can contain hundreds of workers and defend itself aggressively.
Why they're common in the Hudson Valley
- Covered porches, deep soffits, sheds, playsets and stone walls all offer sheltered nesting sites.
- Late-summer outdoor cooking and abundant fallen fruit draw scavenging yellowjackets to patios and trash areas.
- Wooded lots provide the abandoned rodent burrows yellowjackets often occupy.
Signs of activity
- Steady insect traffic in and out of one point in siding, soffit or the ground
- A visible paper comb under eaves, railings, grills or playsets
- A large gray enclosed nest in a tree, shrub or roofline
- Increased aggression around food and drinks in late summer
Where you'll find them
- Eaves, soffits, porch ceilings and door frames
- Wall voids and gaps behind siding
- Ground holes in lawns, mulch beds and along stone walls
- Sheds, garages, grills, playsets and patio furniture
Why it matters
- Stings are painful and can be dangerous for people with allergies; some species sting repeatedly.
- Nests near doors, decks, walkways and play areas create daily risk for the household.
- Wall-void nests should not be sealed shut — trapped insects can push into living space.
Prevention
- Inspect eaves, railings and playsets in late spring when nests are small
- Keep outdoor trash covered and rinse recycling
- Clean up fallen fruit and spilled sugary drinks
- Seal gaps in siding, soffits and utility penetrations before spring
- Cap or screen open pipe ends and vents
When to get an inspection
- The nest is near an entry, deck, walkway or children's area
- The nest is inside a wall, soffit or the ground
- Anyone in the household is sting-allergic
- You cannot locate the nest but see steady insect traffic
Nest near a door, deck or play area?
If the activity keeps coming back, an on-site inspection is the reliable next step.