Where Wasps Go in the Winter

During the cold season, wasps enter a period of torpor. They hibernate in wood, leaf litter, or debris. They produce glycerol to help them survive the cold.

In the spring, wasps look for a safe place to nest. They search for harborage sites such as window frames, siding, and chimneys. They also look for food. Wasp colonies are social. These colonies are made up of a single fertile queen, several unmated females, and several male workers.

When it gets warmer, queen wasps come out of hibernation and start to construct a new nest. They will use wood pulp to build their nest. The nest is hexagonal in shape. They will then lay eggs in it. Depending on the species, up to 250,000 eggs are laid per season.

The paper wasp is the most common type of wasp in the United States. They have a banded abdomen, dangling legs, and a paper-like nest. They grow to 5/8 to 3/4 inches long. They are docile unless attacked. They are most common during the late summer and early fall.

Social wasps are responsible for controlling spiders and insects. They also capture caterpillars. These wasps are often found living in colonies inside nests. The nest is usually used once.

Social wasps are not suited for cold weather. They do not have the stinger to protect them from predators. They also cannot fly. This makes them susceptible to predators in buildings.

One of the best defenses against wasps is to keep them out of your home. The best way to do this is to keep screens and door sweeps in place.