How Many Wasps Fit in a Small Nest?
WouterGenerally speaking, wasps build their nests in high, sheltered places. They prefer to build their nests in the eaves of houses or buildings. They also construct nests in trees and shrubs. These nests usually have one opening, and contain chambers or tubes that can accommodate hundreds of wasps.
There are thousands of wasp species. Most of them are harmless, although some can cause painful stings if provoked. Some wasps are predators that kill insect pests. They are also beneficial pollinators. Some farmers have harnessed wasps for pest control.
A social wasp’s nest is a slick structure. It can rival the honeycombs built by honey bees. It can be on the ground or in the air. The nest can be made out of many different materials. For instance, it may be made of paper pulp.
A paper wasp’s nest is a honeycomb of tiny cells. The nest is made of wood pulp that looks like paper when dry. This pulp is chewed into a paste-like substance. The pulp is often mixed with wasp saliva. The nest can grow to be quite large.
A paper wasp’s nest usually begins when the mated female leaves the hibernation site. Other females may join the first queen to help with the construction. The nest grows rapidly throughout the summer. It usually has 20 to 75 adults. The maximum colony size usually reaches late summer.
The most common material used to build a wasp’s nest is paper pulp. In addition to the paper pulp envelope, wasps also use salivary secretions to form the nest.
