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.
What to look for
Identify the pest
Compare what you found with these wasps & hornets reference materials.
Yellowjacket
Compact black-and-yellow wasp; often nests in the ground or inside wall voids.
Paper wasp
Slimmer, long-legged wasp that builds open, umbrella-shaped combs.
Signs of activity
Most homeowners find the evidence before they find the pest. These are the things people usually notice first.
Paper wasp nest
Open comb with visible cells, usually under eaves, railings or grill covers.
Bald-faced hornet nest
Large enclosed grey paper nest in a tree or on a structure, with a single entrance near the bottom.
Ground nest entrance
Steady traffic in and out of a small hole in the lawn or bank usually means a yellowjacket nest below.
Nest under an eave
Sheltered eaves, soffits and porch ceilings are common nest sites around homes.
Wasps entering a structural opening
Insects slipping into a gap in siding, trim or a vent often indicate a hidden nest in the void.
Photos can help narrow down a pest problem, but many pests and signs of activity look similar. A photograph should not be treated as a definitive identification or diagnosis. Photo sources and credits.
Does this look familiar?
Pest signs aren't always easy to identify from pictures. Send us a photo of what you're seeing and tell us where you found it — we'll take wasps & hornets into account.
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.