Insect · Moderate risk
Paper Wasp
The paper wasp is easy to recognize by its slender body, its long legs dangling below it in flight and its open, umbrella-shaped nest with exposed cells. Less aggressive than the yellowjacket, it only attacks if its nest is threatened. Its colonies stay small, a few dozen individuals, and often settle under the eaves. In Quebec, the native reddish brown species is Polistes fuscatus. The black and yellow European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) has become established in the south of the province and is easily mistaken for a yellowjacket.
15 to 22 mm · Reddish brown and yellow
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
Larger than the yellowjacket (15 to 22 mm), reddish brown with yellow spots. Very slender body, narrow waist, long legs dangling below the body in flight. Its nest is open, with no outer envelope, and made of a single comb of cells visible from below.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
It favours eaves, cornices, balconies, window frames, railings and garden or patio furniture. Its open nests, hanging from a thin stalk, are easy to spot.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Left alone, the colony grows all summer, and the wasps defend the nest more fiercely late in the season.
§4What to look out for
Signs of presence
- Open umbrella-shaped nest under the eaves
- Slender wasps coming and going, reddish brown or black and yellow
- Wasps near doors and windows
- Visible nest with uncovered cells
§5Why act fast
Risks
- Painful stings if the nest is disturbed
- Allergy risk similar to other wasps
- Nesting close to entrances raises the risk of contact
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Knock down nests that are just starting, in early spring, before the workers appear
- Paint or varnish bare, weathered wood, which they use to make their paper
- Seal cracks under gutters and eaves
- Regularly inspect areas sheltered from the rain
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Locating the nest and assessing the risk.
Preparation
Customized intervention plan · safety instructions.
Treatment
Treating the nest with insecticide at the end of the day, then removing the nest.
Follow-up
Control visit · written guarantee offered depending on the treatment chosen.
§8Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Is it less aggressive?
Can I remove a nest myself?
Why does it nest under the eaves?
The paper wasp builds its nest under cornices, balconies and window frames, often at head height. Removing it calls for protective equipment: see our wasp extermination service. Fast service in Granby, Sherbrooke, Cowansville and Victoriaville.
Sources consulted for this fact sheet: Espace pour la vie, social wasps · Ouellet-Robert Collection, Université de Montréal, Polistes fuscatus · Cornell University IPM, paper wasps · Penn State Extension, social bees and wasps.
React quickly, enjoy your patio.
The bigger the colony gets, the trickier the removal.