Where Wasps Make Their Nests

Various species of wasps make their nests. Each species has a unique home that is tailored to suit its needs. Some species build large, elaborate homes while others construct smaller, compact structures.

One of the most common places to find wasp nests is in eaves of barns, attics, and second floor windows. In the winter, these nests are abandoned because only fertilized queens can survive the winter. During the fall, wasp colonies migrate into the cavities of buildings.

A social wasp’s nest is quite sophisticated and can rival honeycombs built by honey bees. These nests are constructed using wood fibers, saliva, and other materials. The queen paper wasp mixes the wood fibers with saliva and then spits out pulp to build a nest.

A yellow jacket nest, on the other hand, is commonly located in rotting logs, sandy lawns, or wall cavities in houses. It is a papery nest that can contain up to 800 wasps. They prey on dead animals and sugars.

Generally, these wasps are classified as beneficial yard pests. They build nests to control the insect population. Some of the nests are papery while others are shaped like balls.

The most common type of nest is made of paper pulp. This pulp is made from raw wood and wasp saliva. The pulp is very efficient for building a nest. However, these paper wasps die during the winter months.

Another type of nest is made of vertical cracks found in homes. These cracks are very convenient for wasps to enter and leave the nest.