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Wasps & Yellow Jackets

Common Types of Wasps

The most common types of wasps in Texas and New Mexico include yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets as well as mud daubers.

Did you know?

  • Wasps aren’t as efficient pollinators as bees because they do not have fuzzy hairs that aid in pollen transfer.
  • Yellow jackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets are social insects that live in colonies while mud daubers are solitary wasps.
  • Individuals who are allergic to wasp stings may experience a severe reaction referred to as anaphylaxis.

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When Are Wasps Most Active?

Active Months: March, April, May, June, July, August
Very Active Months: September, October

FAQs

  • Yellow jackets
    Yellow jackets have narrow waists, long legs, and their thoraxes have black and yellow markings. They are hairless stinging insects that have stingers without barbs.
  • Paper wasps  
    Paper wasps closely resemble yellow jackets but they are mostly brown with some yellow coloration. Some species of paper wasps have bands that vary in color. These wasps do not have barbed stingers.
  • Bald-faced hornets
    Bald-faced hornets are long wasp-like stinging insects that have mostly black bodies with mostly white faces. Their stingers are not equipped with barbs.
  • Mud daubers 
    Mud daubers are typically black with pale markings or metallic coloring. They have long, narrow “waists” that connect their thoraxes to their abdomens. Like the other wasps mentioned, mud daubers do not have barbed stingers. 

Yellow jacket nests are made from papery material and have a single opening. Yellow jackets build their nests in a variety of places including, but not limited to:

  • Tree branches
  • Shrubs
  • Sides of buildings
  • Wall voids
  • Existing cavities
  • Abandoned rodent burrows
  • Holes in the ground

Paper wasps create aerial nests that look like upside-down umbrellas. They suspend these nests from trees, overhangs, and hanging from other sheltered areas.

Bald-faced hornets build large nests at least three feet off the ground. Common nesting sites include overhangs, eaves, trees, and shrubs/bushes.

As their name suggests, mud daubers build nests mostly out of mud. They are easily recognized because their nests often look like pipes (they might be globular though). Common nesting sites for mud daubers in New Mexico include entryways, stucco, eaves, and in other protected areas.

Although the level of aggression varies by wasp, it is reasonable to say that all wasps have the potential to be dangerous. In fact, some (not all) are easily provoked and will attack at the slightest provocation or assumed threat.

Unfortunately, because they do not have barbs on their stingers, they are capable of stinging multiple times. Wasp stings may result in red welts and swelling but for some individuals, it can prove life threatening.

There isn’t any singular reason why you may be experiencing a wasp problem on your property. If you have flowering plants, fruit trees, insects, garbage cans, and other potential food sources, you’re likely to see wasp activity. And if there’s plenty of protected areas to build their nests, you’ll see these stinging insects. 

At Polaris Pest Control, we provide professional bee and wasp control in Texas and New Mexico that includes swarm and nest removal. Our knowledgeable and experienced pest control specialist will remove hives, nest, or colonies from your property using the right tools and safety equipment to prevent injury. For more information about this service, please contact us today!

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We’re Ready To Solve Your Pest Problem

At Polaris Pest Control, we understand that pest problems can be stressful, but the solution shouldn’t be. Since 2009, our primary focus has been on helping New Mexico and Texas property owners get rid of ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and mice, as well as other insects and rodents that try to take over. When you contact us for help, you can count on our team of pest control specialists to solve your pest problem, no matter how severe!

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I have been using greenway for almost 2 years now and the people they send out are always kind and professional. They do an amazing job and are always thorough. With the mosquito treatment we are now able to enjoy our backyard again. I am very pleased with Greenway.

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