Seeing more buzzing insects around your yard or home? In Alabama, yellow jackets and paper wasps become especially active during the warmer months. While both can sting and cause alarm, they’re not the same. These stinging insects differ in how they look, behave, and where they build their nests.
Knowing the difference matters. It can help you avoid painful stings, keep your family safe, and decide when it’s time to call a pest control professional.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to tell yellow jackets from paper wasps, what attracts them, how aggressive they are, and what to do if you spot a nest nearby.
Key Takeaways:
- Yellow jackets are aggressive ground-nesting wasps with bright yellow markings. In contrast, paper wasps are more slender and less aggressive.
- Yellowjackets build extensive underground or hidden nests. Meanwhile, paper wasps construct open nests under eaves and overhangs.
- Both species can sting. However, yellowjackets are more likely to do so repeatedly and without much provocation.
- Calling a pest control professional is the safest approach if you spot nests near high-traffic areas.
What do yellow jackets and paper wasps look like?
Yellow jackets and paper wasps both belong to the wasp family. Both are part of the wasp family, but yellow jackets are Vespula and paper wasps are Polistes.
However, they have some key differences in how they look and behave. Here are some key differences between the two:
- Yellow jackets are stout and shiny with bright yellow and black stripes. Their compact bodies often lead folks to mistake them for honey bees. However, their aggressive behavior usually clears that up. They have short antennae and a smooth stinger that allows them to sting more than once.
- Paper wasps are longer and more slender than yellow jackets. They also have reddish-brown or dark bodies and yellow markings. They have long legs that dangle as they fly. These wasps also have more pronounced antennae compared to yellow jackets.
You can also tell the difference by observing where they swarm. Yellowjackets usually swarm around trash cans or meat at a picnic. Meanwhile, paper wasps are more interested in caterpillars and nectar.
Where do they nest?
A significant difference between yellow jackets and paper wasps is how and where they build nests:
- Yellowjackets typically build their nests underground. They can also make their nest in wall voids, attics, and crawl spaces. A yellowjacket nest can house thousands of individuals in a single season. Yellowjackets live in social colonies and defend them aggressively.
- Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, overhangs, and other sheltered outdoor areas. These paper wasp nests are smaller and house fewer wasps than a yellowjacket colony.
Wasps flying in and out of a hole usually mean a yellowjacket nest.
How aggressive are they?
- Yellowjackets are considered one of the most aggressive stinging insects in Alabama. They are known to defend their nests aggressively. When threatened, yellow jackets will sting multiple times since their smooth stinger allows for repeated stings. They’re especially hostile in late summer and fall.
- Paper wasps are generally less aggressive unless you get too close to their nest. They will sting in defense, but they’re less likely to pursue you, unlike yellowjackets.
Despite this difference, people who are allergic to wasp stings should be cautious around either type of wasp. A single sting from a yellow jacket or paper wasp can trigger an allergic reaction.
What about hornets and other wasps?
Yellow jackets and paper wasps are two of the most common wasps in Alabama. However, they’re not the only ones. You might also come across other types of wasps, like the bald-faced hornets and European hornets, around your home.
Bald-faced hornets, a type of Dolichovespula, are a kind of yellowjacket. However, they do not build their nests underground or in hidden places. Bald-faced hornets build large aerial nests in trees. They’re black with white markings and just as aggressive.
The European paper wasp is another species of wasp you might see. It resembles the native paper wasp but is more aggressive and invasive.
Other types of wasps you may encounter in Alabama include mud daubers, cicada killers, and common wasps. These wasps are typically solitary. This means they don’t form large colonies or defend nests aggressively like the others. These wasps are usually large, but don’t let their size scare you. They’re not dangerous unless provoked.
Are yellow jackets and paper wasps beneficial?
Yes, to a point. Both are pollinators and help control garden pests like caterpillars and flies. Yellowjackets are also scavengers, which means they clean up dead insects or leftover food. Paper wasps, meanwhile, feed their developing larvae chewed-up insects.
Their habit of nesting near homes often outweighs their benefits, especially for those allergic to stings.
If you notice wasps building nests near your eaves or see heavy traffic in and out of a ground nest, it may be time to seek professional help.
What to do if you find a nest
While there are many DIY methods for wasp control, we don’t recommend handling nests on your own.
Yellow jackets, in particular, become highly aggressive when defending their colony. DIY methods may reduce wasp numbers but rarely remove the whole nest. This can lead to serious health risks from stings and additional property damage.
Paper wasp nests are easier to spot and treat early in the season. However, they can still be dangerous, especially if they’re tucked in tricky spots like under eaves or in wall voids. If you’re allergic or uncertain, it’s best to call a pest control expert.
At Magic City Pest Control, we treat wasp nests up to 25 feet high, including those in attics, wall voids, and around overhangs. We use products and materials like Waspfreeze or Bifen to take care of the issue safely and effectively.
While we deal with pest problems, we also make sure not to harm honey bees, as we recognize their importance to the environment. We also work closely with local beekeepers when honey bee removal is needed. Contact us today for a free quote. We are happy to help you keep your home wasp-free!
FAQ
What is the difference between yellow jackets and paper wasps?
Yellow jackets are aggressive ground-nesting social wasps with bright yellow markings. Paper wasps are more slender, less aggressive, and build open nests under eaves and overhangs.
Are yellow jacket stings worse than paper wasps?
Yellow jacket stings tend to hurt more, and they can sting multiple times. Pain varies per person, but yellow jackets are more aggressive overall.
Can pest control remove wasp nests safely?
Yes. Professionals, like us at Magic City Pest Control, can treat nests safely, even those in high or hidden places like attics or wall voids. This reduces sting risk and ensures complete nest removal.
