How Quickly Can Paper Wasps Build a Nest?

During the warmer months of the year, paper wasps will begin to build a nest. This nest will look like a large umbrella, hanging on a short stalk. It is usually built in a sheltered area, such as an attic, porch, or high, protected tree. They use wood fiber mixed with saliva to create the papery pulp that encases the nest.

The nest grows rapidly as the number of wasps increases. Workers die off when the nest reaches maturity. Then, new workers take over rearing the young. When the nest is fully grown, the nest can reach a size of a basketball.

Typically, the queen will start the nesting process in early spring. She will begin by searching for an ideal site for the nest. Then, she breaks down the wood fibers with saliva. This process makes the wood fiber malleable and soft. Paper wasps will use the wood fiber to construct the nest.

Once the paper wasp queen has found a suitable nest site, she will begin building the nest. This process takes about three quarters of a year. The nest will reach its maximum size by autumn.

The queen paper wasp will lay an egg in each cell of the nest. She will then add additional layers of paper to protect the cells. Eventually, the nest will contain about 200 cells.

Paper wasps live for about one year. The nest will eventually die when the first hard frost arrives.