How Many Wasps Live in a Small Nest?

Approximately three to five thousand wasps can live in a single nest. They may occupy an area of 30 cm to 60 cm in diameter. The shape of the nest is elongated toward the bottom, with a single hole at the bottom of the nest for entrance.

A wasp nest will grow in size as the wasp colony expands in the spring and summer. The nest may be made of paper pulp or plant material. The domes are usually made of salivary secretions.

After laying eggs, the queen wasp hibernates for the winter. Her workers fend for the colony. During the winter, the queen may die and a new queen will emerge.

When spring and summer come, the queen wasp begins to build a nest. The nest can be made from wood pulp or saliva, depending on the wasp species. The nest may have multiple queens or just one. A queen may stay in the nest for a year or more. A wasp colony may be small, but the queen may mate and lay hundreds of eggs. These eggs are fertilized and grow into new queens.

Wasps have been known to deliver painful stings. If you suspect that a wasp nest is present, do not try to remove it. Instead, use a long-handled tool or wasp spray. If possible, try to locate the nest from a distance. The best time to look for a wasp nest is early in the morning.