The wasps homeowners in the United States meet most often are yellowjackets, hornets, paper wasps and mud daubers. Yellowjackets, hornets and paper wasps are social wasps that live in colonies and defend their nests, while mud daubers live alone and rarely sting. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company, based in Orem, Utah, that handles wasp and hornet nests for homes and businesses. This guide explains how to tell the four apart, where each one nests and when a nest calls for professional wasp control.
How to tell common wasp species apart
Yellow Jacket
Yellowjackets are small, stout wasps with bright yellow and black bands, and they are the wasps most likely to sting people around homes and outdoor meals. University of Maryland Extension’s guide to social wasps puts them at ⅜ to ⅝ of an inch long and notes that they nest in ground burrows, shrubs or wall voids. Wasp stingers have no barbs, so a yellowjacket can sting more than once, and UC IPM’s pest note on yellowjackets and other social wasps says defensive behavior increases as the season goes on and colonies grow while food becomes scarcer. Keep food, pet food and garbage covered outdoors, and treat a nest in the ground or inside a wall as a job for a professional.
Hornet
In the United States, the name hornet usually refers to two insects: the baldfaced hornet, which is a black-and-white yellowjacket species, and the larger European hornet. University of Maryland Extension describes European hornets as ¾ to 1⅜ inches long and reddish brown with golden yellow markings, and notes that baldfaced hornets build large, gray, egg-shaped paper nests above ground. Like other social wasps, hornets sting to defend the nest rather than seeking people out, so the risk rises when a nest hangs near a door, walkway or play area. The signs it’s time to call a hornet control service cover those situations, and Saela’s hornet control service handles nests that are too close to leave alone.
Paper Wasp
Paper wasps are slender, long-legged wasps with less yellow than yellowjackets, and they build small, open, umbrella-shaped nests of gray-brown paper. UC IPM notes that they hang these nests in protected spots such as under eaves, in attics or under tree branches, and that paper wasps are rarely aggressive. They will still sting if a nest is bumped, and for anyone allergic to venom, CDC guidance on stinging insects warns that anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening reaction that needs immediate emergency care. Check eaves, porch ceilings and play structures in spring, when a queen is still building the nest alone and it is small.
Mud Dauber
Mud daubers are dark, thread-waisted solitary wasps that build small, hard nests of mud, usually on ceilings and walls, and UC IPM notes that they rarely sting. Because they live alone rather than in a defended colony, they are usually more of a nuisance than a stinging risk, and mud dauber wasp control is mainly about nests on porches, garages and outbuildings. Telling a mud dauber from a paper wasp or yellowjacket matters because each one is handled differently. Saela’s protocols for that kind of identification are developed by Dennis Weiss, Saela’s board-certified entomologist, who also trains its technicians.
If a nest is in a wall, in the ground or high under an eave, or if anyone in the home is allergic to stings, have a professional handle it rather than spraying it yourself, since social wasps sting mainly when they are defending a disturbed nest. In a February 2024 Google review, Richard Haile praised Saela’s “great service and professional recommendations.” To have a nest identified and treated, book a call with Saela.
Frequently asked questions
Are wasps more aggressive in late summer and fall?
Yes, usually: yellowjacket and paper wasp colonies grow through the summer, and their defensive behavior increases late in the season as colonies get larger and food becomes harder to find.
Should I remove a wasp nest myself?
University of Maryland Extension advises leaving wasp nests alone when possible and hiring a professional when a nest near the home has to be removed. Saela’s guide to why DIY wasp control falls short explains the risks of treating a nest without protective gear.
How much does professional wasp control cost?
Saela quotes pest control based on pest type, location, property size, visit frequency and treatment products, so there is no single universal price. Its pricing page explains how plans are set up. QualityPro’s directory of accredited companies lists Saela if you want to check credentials before you call.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
