The complete guide to wasps

All wasps start out as an egg, but the complete lifecycle of a wasp depends on if it is classified as a social wasp or a solitary, parasitoid type of wasp. Because of their tinier nests, solitary wasps only lay a few eggs. Parasitoid wasps use a host, which is typically a spider, to lay their eggs and reproduce.

Female social wasps restart their colonies from scratch every season. A female social wasp will fertilize the eggs and they will hatch as workers, resulting in more reproductive males and females being born. Non-fertilized eggs will hatch into males and cannot reproduce. During the colder months, the females hibernate and rebuild their nests to start the process over again. Male wasps die in the winter.

All wasps start out as an egg, but the complete lifecycle of a wasp depends on if it is classified as a social wasp or a solitary, parasitoid type of wasp. Because of their tinier nests, solitary wasps only lay a few eggs. Parasitoid wasps use a host, which is typically a spider, to lay their eggs and reproduce.

Female social wasps restart their colonies from scratch every season. A female social wasp will fertilize the eggs and they will hatch as workers, resulting in more reproductive males and females being born. Non-fertilized eggs will hatch into males and cannot reproduce. During the colder months, the females hibernate and rebuild their nests to start the process over again. Male wasps die in the winter.

Most wasps are omnivorous. They will feed on a variety of foods and are extremely attracted to sugary substances, like wine and nectar, and foods that are high in protein, such as insects and spiders.

Learn more: What do wasps eat?

Wasps like to nest in overhangs, eaves, roofs of houses, and trees. They build their nests away from the elements and in hard-to-reach areas to keep them safe from predators. Each wasp species builds its own unique type of nest, which is one way you can know what type of wasp is on your property.

• Paper wasp nests can be identified by their upside-down umbrella shape. Though they can house a few dozen paper wasps, they rarely get larger than six to eight inches across.
• Yellow jacket nests can be identified by their upside-down teardrop shape. They begin at about the size of a golf ball and can grow to a few feet across by the fall. They are made of chewed wood fibers that envelop the nest.
• Hornet nests can grow up to the size of a basketball. They build their nests in tree branches and under eaves. The size of their nest depends on the number of wasps inside.

Learn more: How to prevent wasp nests on your porch

Wasps are nature's natural pest controllers. They prey on insects and parasites that can cause damage to our crops and other vegetation. Some wasp species are efficient pollinators.

Learn more: Everything to know about stinging pests

Wasps are aggressive when they feel threatened or annoyed. They become more aggressive at the end of the summer and the fall as they prepare for the winter months and protect their queen.

Unfortunately, it can. A dead wasp emits a pheromone that alerts the rest of the colony of danger. Instead of fleeing their nest, the wasps will come out and attack to protect their home and their queen.

Learn more: 10 must-know facts about wasps

Chances are a wasp stung you because it felt threatened or agitated. This can happen when you get close to their nest or are waving your arms at them trying to shoo them away. Rarely do wasps sting for no reason.