Do Wasps Use the Same Nest Each Year?
WouterWhether or not wasps use the same nest each year depends on the species. Some wasps build large, elaborate nests, while others are more compact and simple. Regardless, a wasp nest will always be attached to something flammable.
A wasp nest is constructed from a very thin, paper-like material. The paper pulp is mixed with saliva to form a malleable substance. The paper is then layered into hexagonal cells. In the spring, a queen wasp lays eggs into these cells. Those eggs hatch into young wasps, who continue building the nest.
In the summer, wasps continue to build the nest, but they stop producing new workers. In autumn, when cooler weather begins to approach, the wasp colony goes into hibernation.
During the winter, only a small percentage of mated queens survive the cold. Most queens die of starvation, and some die due to predators. But if a wasp queen survives, she lays eggs to create a new queen for the following year.
One of the simplest ways to deter wasps from building a nest is to block entry to the house. Another is to create a dummy nest. These mimic real structures and trick wasps into thinking they’ve been taken over. However, a dummy nest might not be effective when they’re later in the summer.
The ‘wonderful’ thing about wasp nests is that they are sturdier than you might expect. The paper pulp used in the nest is quite strong, even when it’s dry.
