Wasps are common insects that can be found in residential areas, often making nests near homes, gardens, or even underground. While some wasps are beneficial to the ecosystem by controlling pest populations, their presence can also be a nuisance or even dangerous, especially if they become aggressive. Here, we will explore the most common types of wasps you might encounter in residential areas and answer specific questions about their appearance and behavior.
What Type of Wasp Lives in the Ground?
Ground wasps are a category of wasps that make their nests in underground burrows. One of the most common types of ground-dwelling wasps is the yellowjacket. Yellowjackets are easily recognized by their yellow and black bodies and can be quite aggressive, particularly when defending their nests. These wasps create their nests in abandoned animal burrows, under the soil, or in other underground cavities. The nest can contain hundreds or even thousands of yellow jackets, which makes them particularly dangerous if disturbed.
Another wasp that lives in the ground is the cicada killer wasp, which is larger and less aggressive than yellowjackets. These wasps prefer sandy or loose soil, where they dig tunnels to lay their eggs.
What Type of Wasp Makes a Mud Nest?
Mud daubers are known for building nests out of mud. These nests often resemble small tubes or cells, typically attached to walls, eaves, or other sheltered areas around homes. Mud daubers are usually black with yellow markings, though some species may have metallic blue or black bodies. Unlike social wasps, mud daubers are not aggressive and are unlikely to sting unless provoked.
Mud daubers prey on spiders, paralyzing them and placing them in their mud nests to provide food for their larvae. While their nests may look unsightly on the side of a house, these wasps are beneficial for controlling the spider population and generally do not pose a threat to humans.
What Type of Wasp Is Black?
There are several types of wasps that are black in color, but one of the most common is the great black wasp. This large, solitary wasp has a shiny black body and is known for its non-aggressive nature. Great black wasps build nests in the ground, similar to cicada killers, and they hunt katydids and grasshoppers to feed their young. While they may look intimidating due to their size, they rarely sting unless threatened.
Another common black wasp is the potter wasp, a type of solitary wasp that creates small mud nests. These wasps are black with yellow or white markings and are also non-aggressive. Potter wasps help control caterpillar populations by using them to feed their larvae.
A Common Residential Wasp
In addition to ground wasps and mud daubers, paper wasps are another common sight in residential areas. Paper wasps build umbrella-shaped nests out of chewed wood fibers, which are often found hanging from eaves, fences, or trees. These nests are open, with visible hexagonal cells. Paper wasps are typically brown with yellow markings and long legs that dangle as they fly. While less aggressive than yellowjackets, paper wasps can become defensive if their nest is disturbed.
Myths and Facts About Wasps
| Myth | Fact |
| All wasps are aggressive and dangerous. | Many wasps, like mud daubers and potter wasps, are non-aggressive and beneficial. |
| Wasps only build nests in trees or on buildings. | Some wasps, like yellowjackets and cicada killers, build nests underground. |
| Removing a wasp nest will prevent them from returning. | Wasps may return to the same area to rebuild their nests if conditions are favorable. |
| Wasps die after they sting. | Most wasps can sting multiple times before dying. |
| Only large wasps are dangerous. | Smaller wasps, like yellowjackets, can be more aggressive and harmful than larger species. |
