How Do Wasps Use Old Nests?

During the fall, a wasp queen will lay special eggs that will hatch into the new queens for the year. These queens will then hibernate during the winter and come out in the spring to start building a new nest. The nest itself can last for a year, but most will die.

A wasp’s nest may not be the most impressive, but it can be a useful tool to control some crop eating pests. Wasps are a bit different from bees, and are known for their ability to fly faster than the human eye can see. They have also been known to eat through plasterboard.

A paper wasp nest looks like a honeycomb. It’s usually made of plant material, or even paper. It serves as a center of attraction for flying insects and swarming insects.

Wasps also make their own glue, using saliva to bind wood fiber together. This is a clever way to keep the nest warm and a source of a useful ingredient for their pupae.

Some species of wasps are also known to construct fake nests, which are designed to prevent hornets from moving in. These fake nests may not be as useful, but they can be an effective deterrent.

In the winter, a wasp queen will find a warm place to hibernate. This may be in your attic, or even in an old tree.

A wasp’s nest can be removed safely by you, provided you wear protective clothing and a good pair of gloves. Use a long-handled tool to break the nest into manageable chunks.