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Paper Wasp (Polistes species)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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What Are Paper Wasps?
Paper wasps are the long-legged wasps that build open, honeycomb-like nests under overhangs. They make their nests by chewing wood fibers into a paper-like material. Several species live in Florida. They're generally less aggressive than yellowjackets, but they will sting to defend the nest, and in South Florida they often build exactly where people go: under the front door overhang, inside rolled shutters, on lanai frames and behind pool equipment.
Paper wasps are also helpful predators. They hunt caterpillars and other insects to feed their young. When a nest is out of the way, some homeowners choose to leave it alone.
How to Identify Them
Look for a slender wasp with a narrow waist and long legs that hang down when it flies. The nest is the best clue: an open, gray paper comb with the cells exposed, usually hanging upside down from a short stalk. You can often see the wasps sitting on the comb.
Common look-alikes:
- Yellowjackets: stockier, bright yellow and black, with hidden, enclosed nests, often in the ground. See yellowjacket.
- Mud daubers: thread-waisted, build tube-shaped mud nests and rarely sting.
- Honey bees: fuzzy and golden-brown. Swarms and hives should be handled by a beekeeper.
Life Cycle and Habits
In spring, a queen starts a small nest by herself and raises the first workers. The colony grows over the warm months, and nests can get larger through summer. Workers forage for caterpillars, nectar and water. In South Florida's mild climate, nests may be active for much of the year.
Signs of Paper Wasps
- Gray paper combs under eaves, overhangs and railings
- Wasps flying in and out of shutter tracks, pool cage joints or gaps in soffits
- Wasps gathering at pool edges, birdbaths or dripping hoses to collect water
- Wasps chewing on wood fences or decks to gather nest material
Is it dangerous?
- Stings
- Allergens
Painful stings, especially when nests are near doors and walkways; allergic reactions in some people.
Safety Tips
- Don't swat at wasps near a nest, and keep kids and pets away.
- Check shutters before opening or closing them, especially at the start of hurricane season.
- Look under grills, play sets and patio furniture before using them.
- If stung, wash the area and use a cold pack. Seek emergency care immediately for swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing or dizziness. People with known allergies should carry their prescribed medication.
Why Not DIY?
Store-bought sprays can work on small nests, but nests near doors, high on the roofline or inside shutters can put you on a ladder close to angry wasps. That's when professional removal is the safer choice.
How Pro-Spray Treats Paper Wasps
We locate active nests around the home, treat and remove them, and treat the overhangs and surfaces where wasps tend to rebuild. Regular quarterly service helps catch new nests while they're still small. We don't remove honey bee colonies; we'll recommend a local beekeeper for those.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Why do wasps build nests in my hurricane shutters?
Should I knock down a wasp nest myself?
Will wasps come back to the same spot?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
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