Wasps

With more than 30,000 identified species, wasps are well-known as feared predators with painful stings. Their diets consist primarily of nectar and pest insects, and they can be found in almost any North American environment, from orchards, meadows, and woodlands to playgrounds and urban settings. Wasps are typically not aggressive towards humans or animals but will attack if they feel threatened or that their colony is in danger. 

Social species of wasps, such as yellow jackets and hornets, emit a pheromone when distressed that makes nearby colony members very defensive and sends them into a stinging frenzy, making it dangerous to tamper with their nests unprepared. Their stings can pack a punch, and have sent people to the emergency room when left untreated. They can also cause severe allergic reactions. If you notice a wasp nest near your home or business, don’t wait—call Burns Pest Elimination for a safe removal today! Read on for more information about identifying and preventing a wasp outbreak. 

How to Identify Wasps

Even with the high number of wasp species found worldwide, they all mostly share very similar characteristics. This includes:

• Size – Wasps are generally between 1 and 2 inches in length. Their bodies are long and thin, and their wings are narrow and translucent.
• Color – Wasps are typically yellow, brown, reddish-orange, or black in color, depending on the species. 
• Stinger – Wasp stingers are smooth, meaning that they are able to sting repeatedly without getting it ripped out like most bees.
• Nests – Wasps prefer to build nests in protected areas under overhangs or in the ground. They are commonly found along the edges of a roof, in sheds, along playground structures, and under thick tree branches. Wasp nests are typically paper-like and made from wood fibers that have been chewed into a pulp.

While wasps are closely related to bees, they are much thinner and smoother in appearance, and they are more likely to sting perceived threats without the fear of losing their stinger. The most commonly found wasp species in Arizona are the yellow paper wasp, the Navajo paper wasp, and the Arizona paper wasp. Their bodies are usually jet black or brown with narrow yellow bands and paired segmental spots.