Paper wasps are slender with open, umbrella-shaped nests and are relatively mild-mannered. Yellow jackets are stocky black-and-yellow ground- or cavity-nesters and are aggressive. Hornets are larger, build big enclosed paper nests, and defend them fiercely.
Wasp, yellow jacket, and hornet are all words that get used interchangeably, but they’re different. They have different nests and very different attitudes. If you can tell them apart, it helps you know how much to worry if you find them in your yard.
Paper wasps are the slender, long-legged ones, brownish or marked with yellow, with their legs dangling visibly in flight. Their nest is an open, upside-down umbrella of cells, usually under eaves and railings, or in shrubs, with the comb plainly visible. They're relatively docile and will sting mainly if you threaten the nest, but they aren't quick to come after you.
Yellow jackets are shorter and stockier, bright black-and-yellow, and they fly fast. Their nests are usually underground or tucked into wall voids or other cavities. This is why people often don’t find one until they’re right on top of their nest. They're aggressive and quick to defend, especially in late summer, and they're the ones crashing your cookout for sweets and meat. Blame them for the vast majority of wasp stings.
Hornets are larger and bulkier. In this region you'll mainly meet the baldfaced hornet, which is black and white, and occasionally the brown-and-yellow European hornet. These are the ones that build those huge, football-sized nests you see hanging in trees or on the sides of buildings. When those nests are disturbed, a lot of defenders come out at once. And they’re nasty about it.
It’s tempting to dismiss wasps because they’re bugs. Don’t make that error. A paper wasp nest by the door might just be a little hassle, something you can quickly knock down with a broom handle. A hidden yellow jacket burrow can be a serious hazard, especially if you’re allergic. And you often won’t know what you’re dealing with until you’re running from it. Why chance it?
You don’t have to guess what’s building a nest on your house. Mosquito Squad of Chelmsford & Cambridge can help. Mosquito Squad treats for wasps and other stinging pests as part of its pest control service. That way, you can better defend your family with an up to 90% reduction in pest activity all season long.
