Are you tired of dealing with paper wasps in your house, ruining your peace of mind? These aggressive insects are not only a nuisance, but they can also pose a threat to your health and safety.
From building their signature paper-like nests in attics and eaves to foraging for food indoors, paper wasps can quickly turn your home into their own personal playground.
Understanding why paper wasps are attracted to your home and taking preventive measures can help you keep these pests at bay. This blog will dive into why paper wasps enter homes and provide practical tips and solutions to prevent and manage infestations.
So, whether you’re dealing with a current problem or just want to be proactive, read on to learn more!
Understanding Paper Wasp Infestations
Paper wasps are social insects found in many parts of the world. They are characterized by their narrow waists and the distinctive nests they build.
Most wasps, including paper wasps, craft their intricate hives from a paper-like material. They create the individual layers of their hives by chewing wood pulp and other fibers, mixing everything with their saliva.
You can typically find paper wasp nests attached to structures like trees, doorways, roof eaves, or shrubbery. While still as dangerous as other wasps, these hives typically won’t contain many pests inside and are relatively small.
Because of their unique hive structure, you’re unlikely to mistake these tiny pests for another wasp species. Paper wasps create nests in an umbrella-like shape, with the small wasp-filled cells pointing downward.
Most of their food sources exist outdoors, and they prefer to build in secluded areas near the places they feed. For example, paper wasps feed on nectar and other sweet substances, so you may find them taking up shop near a flower garden or tree.
Like other wasp species, paper wasps won’t traditionally eat other insects, instead preferring sugary treats. They’ll hunt for insects that the larvae consume to develop and grow into adult wasps.
Despite their fearsome reputation, their diet actually gives them a leg up compared to other dangerous insects you may see in your yard. Their roles aren’t as significant as bees, but wasps are pollinators and predators of other harmful insects.
However, they’re still dangerous pests! Wasps are commonly known for their confrontational behavior, and paper wasps are no different. These angry bugs will defend their nest when threatened, meaning paper wasps in your house could cause problems.
Why Paper Wasps are in Your House
So, what gives? If paper wasps are primarily outdoor pests, why are you finding them inside?
Paper wasps prefer to build their signature hives outdoors in your yard or outside your house, as these locations provide protection and stability. However, in some cases, paper wasps may still venture indoors.
Often, paper wasps accidentally end up indoors. Open windows and doors could entice curious wasps to flit inside, looking for a bite to eat. Because wasps don’t traditionally forage inside, they’ll probably look for an exit quickly after entering.
If you’re unsure if the wasp is an accidental invader or a part of a more extensive infestation, keep an eye on the pest and its movements in your home. Wasps continually searching for a way outdoors aren’t likely to live inside.
When you spot paper wasps in your house multiple times, there’s a good chance an infestation may linger somewhere indoors.
During the late fall months, newly mated wasp queens search for safe areas to rest until the weather warms in the spring. While these pests usually bed down in outdoor structures or debris piles, they could end up indoors.
Once the snow melts and the temperatures rise, the queen wasps may begin building her hive and laying eggs near or on top of the place she resided, meaning your home could quickly gain a few hundred new roommates.
If you have any exterior gaps or holes leading indoors, wasps could squeeze in to populate your home. Their small size can give them access to your home through even the slightest cracks on your foundation, windowsills, or roof.
Because paper wasps can pose a significant threat to humans and pets, contacting a pest control professional like Innovative Pest Solutions is vital to keep you safe.
Wasps will defend their nests aggressively, even if you mean no harm. Simply edging too close to their home could anger them. We are proud to offer protection and treatment against stinging insects like wasps. Contact us today!
Preventing Paper Wasps in House
At Innovative Pest Solutions, your safety matters to us! We highly recommend against DIY wasp hive removal and treatment and instead encourage you to reach out to us to keep these pests at bay.
However, if you’re curious about possible preventive measures you can take, check out these tips!
Remove their Access to You: If the pest is coming indoors, you may have unseen cracks and crevices around your home. Take a look at windows, doors, and vents for loose-fitting structures and appliances.
Remove Attractions Around Your Home: We know how much you value your flower garden and blossoming shrubbery, but these plants may encourage wasps to stick close to your home. We don’t suggest pulling up your hard work, but consider planting in a new area or choosing regular pest control treatments to keep wasps away from your foliage and home.
Eliminate Potential Nest Sites: Removing nesting spots in your yard will help ensure wasps won’t head indoors when mating season rolls around. We suggest getting rid of objects or structures that could provide suitable nest sites, such as piles of wood or old bird nests. Remember to regularly clean up sheds and yard equipment to confirm wasps don’t have a foothold in these areas.
Rely on Innovative Pest Solutions: For consistent protection against insects like paper wasps in your house, always turn to pest control professionals like Innovative Pest Solutions. Our stinging insect services will keep your home and yard safe, letting you enjoy your home once again. Contact us today!
