Wasp, Hornet or Yellow Jacket - Ask Extension
Can someone help me to identify this? We are being bombarded but I can't find a nest "on" our house. I'd sure like to get rid of them! Thanks! Susan
Knowledgebase
Wasp, Hornet or Yellow Jacket #281079
Asked September 27, 2015, 9:55 PM EDT
Can someone help me to identify this? We are being bombarded but I can't find a nest "on" our house. I'd sure like to get rid of them! Thanks! Susan
Laramie County Wyoming
Expert Response
Hi Susan,
That looks like a male of one the native species of paper wasp. Family Vespidae, genus Polistes. The northern paper wasp is the common one in Wyoming, and they are very variable in color and markings. However, yours looks very similar to this species. http://bugguide.net/node/view/716635
The antennae are not orange and there is some reddish color on the body so it is not the invasive European paper wasp.
Regardless of which exact species you have, paper wasps make an uncovered nest that is hung up under eaves, decks, or wooden porches. The good news is their time is short as killing frosts are sure to arrive the only the newly produced queen wasps, will over winter. The nest will not be reused. Here is some more information on the paper wasps in general, http://bugguide.net/node/view/572 and, CSU's excellent fact sheet on the control of stinging wasps. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05525.html
That looks like a male of one the native species of paper wasp. Family Vespidae, genus Polistes. The northern paper wasp is the common one in Wyoming, and they are very variable in color and markings. However, yours looks very similar to this species. http://bugguide.net/node/view/716635
The antennae are not orange and there is some reddish color on the body so it is not the invasive European paper wasp.
Regardless of which exact species you have, paper wasps make an uncovered nest that is hung up under eaves, decks, or wooden porches. The good news is their time is short as killing frosts are sure to arrive the only the newly produced queen wasps, will over winter. The nest will not be reused. Here is some more information on the paper wasps in general, http://bugguide.net/node/view/572 and, CSU's excellent fact sheet on the control of stinging wasps. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05525.html
