Why Wasps Build Nests
WouterGenerally, wasps build nests in sheltered and warm areas, and they prefer dark and shady shelters. They may build out of the ground, hang from awnings or ceilings, or build under tree branches. They usually do not use the same nests year after year.
The first stage in the wasp cycle begins in spring when a queen wasp lays eggs in a hexagonal cell. She then searches for wood fiber. She scrapes wood fiber from logs, fences, cardboard, or other materials to form the nest. The larvae in the nest turn the chewed wood into a paste. They then grow into adult wasps.
Once a queen is established, she leaves the nest to lay eggs. The wasps move to new locations in large numbers. Eventually, the entire colony dies out. The surviving females become new queens. They then hibernate in old trees or basements.
When the weather gets colder, the workers die off. The new queens start building a new nest. The nest will eventually die out, as the queens grow old. Then, the construction process begins again.
Wasps are expert paper makers, and they use their saliva to make paper pulp. The pulp is a mixture of raw wood, wasp saliva, and wax. They usually use this as the material for their nests.
If you are allergic to wasp stings, you should avoid contact with wasps. They can sting you or your pets. You can also prevent wasps from establishing a nest by filling in holes, sealing cracks, and blocking gaps around your home.
