Paper Wasps in Tennessee: Identification Guide
Quick Facts About Paper Wasps
Paper wasps build the open, umbrella-shaped nests you find under eaves, porch ceilings, and railings. They’re less aggressive than yellow jackets, but they’ll sting to defend a nest, and their nests are often right where people walk.- Size: About 3/4 to 1 inch
- Color: Brown with yellow markings, or reddish-brown, depending on species
- Body: Slender, with a narrow waist and long legs that dangle in flight
- Nests: Open, single-layer paper combs hanging from a short stalk
- Colony size: Usually a few dozen wasps
- Behavior: Defensive near the nest, but generally not aggressive away from it
How to Identify Paper Wasps
Look for the dangling legs in flight and the open nest with visible cells.Paper Wasps vs. Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are stockier and fly with legs tucked in, and they hide their nests underground or inside walls. Paper wasps are slender, and their nests are out in the open. See our yellow jacket guide.
Where Paper Wasps Nest
- Under eaves, soffits, and porch ceilings
- Railings, shutters, and window frames
- Inside grill covers, mailboxes, and light fixtures
- Play sets, sheds, and barns
- Under outdoor furniture and deck boards
Why Paper Wasps Come Inside in Winter
In fall, new queens look for sheltered places to spend the winter, including attics, wall voids, and gaps around windows. On warm winter days, some wander into living spaces, which is why you may see a sluggish wasp indoors in January. Sealing gaps in fall helps. Red wasps, a reddish-brown paper wasp, do this too; see our red wasp guide.
Paper Wasp Stings
- What happens: Sharp pain, then redness, swelling, and itching around the sting. Swelling can spread several inches and last a few days.
- First aid: Move away from the nest. Scrape out a honey bee stinger with a fingernail or card, wash the area, apply a cold compress, and elevate it. An antihistamine can help with itching.
- Call 911: For trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, hives spreading over the body, dizziness, or fainting. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if one has been prescribed.
- Also get care: For many stings at once, a sting inside the mouth or throat, or a sting that shows signs of infection.
How to Prevent Paper Wasps
- Check eaves, railings, and play sets in early spring, when nests are tiny
- Seal gaps around windows, soffits, and siding in fall
- Keep grill covers, mailboxes, and outdoor fixtures closed
- Knock down empty old nests in winter
When to Call a Professional
Call for large nests, high nests, nests near doors or play areas, or if anyone is allergic. See our wasp removal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a paper wasp?
Paper wasps are slender, with a narrow waist and long legs that dangle in flight. Their nests are open, umbrella-shaped combs.
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Not usually away from the nest, but they will sting to defend it.
Why is there a wasp in my house in winter?
Paper wasp queens overwinter in attics and walls, and some wander indoors on warm days.
How do I prevent paper wasp nests?
Check eaves and railings in early spring and remove new nests while small, and seal gaps in fall.
What’s the difference between a paper wasp and a yellow jacket?
Yellow jackets are stockier, bright yellow, and nest in hidden spots. Paper wasps are slender and build open nests.
