by hannahWhat Does A Wasp Nest Look Like?
Wasp nests are well-known as a key sign that these irritating, stinging insects have made your property their home. However, despite this, many people don’t actually know what a wasp nest looks like.
That’s because wasps often build nests inside tight spaces, such as wall cavities, chimneys and attics. In this case, the only sign of wasp activity will be a stream of wasps coming and going from a specific area of your property.
Still, it pays to know what an active wasp nest looks like, just in case you find one, and so you can differentiate it from a bee nest or other debris.
Because we’re a leading provider of wasp nest removal services across Cheshire, Pest In Peace understands that many homeowners want to know what a wasp nest looks like. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to help you identify a wasp nest and understand what to do if you find one.
What Are Wasp Nests Made From?
Wasp nests are constructed from multiple materials, depending on the wasp species and the most easily obtainable items in their environment.
Common species, such as Yellowjackets and hornets, use a combination of chewed wood pulp and salivia to create a structure similar to papier-mâché.
The queen wasp will use wood from nearby tree branches or wooden structures, such as beams, sheds or furniture, and chew it to create wood pulp. She will then create the outside of the nest, and the worker wasps will then build the hexagonal cells inside for her to lay eggs in.
Some wasp species, usually solitary wasps, will build their nests on the ground using mud.
Where Are You Likely To Find Wasp Nests?
Wasps like to build their nests in sheltered spots away from humans, pets and other animals, to protect the queen wasp and her eggs. Some common areas wasps may build nests in are:
- Wall cavities
- Roof spaces
- Garden sheds
- Under garden furniture
- Garages
- Bird boxes
Usually, you won’t see the nest itself clearly, but the most obvious sign of a wasp nest nearby is a trail of wasps flying to the same place.
In some cases, wasps may decide to take over specific objects, like in the below photo where you can see a wasp nest built inside a security camera.
What Do Wasp Nests Look Like From The Outside?
From the outside, wasp nests are greyish-brown in colour and look like mashed paper. They are usually balloon-shaped with a large hole in the outside for wasps to enter and leave through.
Wasp nests look very different to bee nests, which are more misshapen and are made of wax, rather than chewed wood pulp. Bee nests have the honeycomb on the outside, and the bees will usually be inside the cells, so you’ll mostly see a swarm of bees, rather than the nest itself.
On the other hand, wasp nests have an entrance and a covering of wood pulp, so you can see them clearly.
Hornets are a type of wasp, and so their nests are similar to common wasp nests, and are made of wood pulp, but are usually larger and more teardrop shaped.
How Long Do Wasp Nests Last?
Wasps will only use a nest for one season, which typically lasts from early spring to the summer months, or late autumn at the latest if the weather is warm.
Once the season is over, the entire colony, including the queen wasp and the workers, will die off due to a scarcity of food sources, and only the new queens will survive by finding a suitable place to hibernate.
When the new season starts in the spring, the new queen wasp will build a new nest, and the old nesting site will be abandoned.
These empty wasp nests can used by other insect pests, such as moths or carpet beetles, which can lead to further infestations. They can also be unsightly,
so it’s important that you seek expert advice and support when you find signs of a wasp nest, whether it’s active or empty.
What Should You Do If You Find A Wasp Nest?
If you find a wasp nest nearby, you need to get professional pest control from experts like Pest In Peace.
That’s because wasp nests are complex structures, and wasp nest removal requires protective clothing and skills to ensure the nest is completely eradicated.
If you try to get rid of a wasp nest yourself, you might injure yourself. Wasp stings are painful, and if you’re allergic to wasps then you could find yourself serious hurt.
With professional pest control experts like us, all you have to do is call and we’ll be round straight away to get rid of the wasp nest. We take care of every aspect of the wasp nest removal, from getting the nest removed safely to disposing of the debris.
If you’re a homeowner or business leader in Cheshire and you’ve noticed signs of a wasp nest, or have another pest problem you need help with, Pest In Peace can help. You can learn more about our wasp nest removal services by checking out our other guides on How To Get Rid Of Wasp Nests and How Much Does Wasp Nest Removal Cost?
Alternatively if you want to book a site visit, contact us on 07980 597423 and a member of our team will be happy to help.