Types of Wasps – Identification and Removal
Wasps are more than just a buzzing nuisance—they can be territorial, aggressive, and potentially dangerous, especially when nests are nearby. With hundreds of types of wasps found across the United States, knowing how to identify them is key to keeping your home and yard safe.
At Bugaboo Pest Control, we specialize in identifying and safely removing all wasp species, from common yellow jackets to lesser-known species. In this guide, we’ll break down how to recognize them, introduce you to 20 of the most common wasp varieties, and explain when professional help is necessary.
What Does a Wasp Look Like?
Wasps are typically slender, with narrow waists, smooth bodies (unlike bees), and two pairs of wings. Their coloration varies from black and yellow to metallic blue, red, or brown.
Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a wasp:
- Smooth, shiny bodies (vs. fuzzy bees)
- Elongated legs that dangle during flight
- Distinctive color bands (yellow, red, black, or brown)
- Visible nests made of paper, mud, or underground burrows
Wasp identification becomes especially important when nests appear near high-traffic areas like porches, garages, or under roof eaves. Many homeowners ask about the differences between bees, hornets, and wasps, and while they can look similar, wasps are generally leaner and more aggressive.
Most Common Types of Wasps
The U.S. is home to a wide variety of wasp types, including both social and solitary species. Below are 20 of the most common types of wasps and types of hornets you may encounter:
1. Yellow Jacket
Yellow jackets are easily identified by their bright black and yellow coloration and compact, smooth bodies. They are social wasps, often living in colonies that number in the thousands. Nests are usually located underground or in wall cavities. Yellow jackets are extremely aggressive when defending their nests and are responsible for a large number of stings in the U.S. each year. They’re particularly attracted to sugary substances and proteins, making them common uninvited guests at outdoor events.
2. Paper Wasp
Paper wasps are typically reddish-brown or dark brown with yellow markings. They have long legs and build distinctive open-celled, umbrella-shaped nests made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. These nests are usually attached to eaves, beams, or porch ceilings. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will sting if provoked. They feed on nectar and insects, playing a beneficial role in gardens by controlling pests.
3. European Hornet
European hornets are one of the largest wasps in the U.S., growing up to 1.5 inches in length. They have a brown body with yellow abdominal stripes and reddish-orange wings. Unlike most wasps, they are active at night. Their nests can be found in hollow trees, wall voids, or attics. European hornets are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will defend their nest vigorously.
4. Bald-Faced Hornet
These black and white wasps are not true hornets but a type of aerial yellow jacket. They build large, enclosed paper nests in trees, shrubs, or under building overhangs. Bald-faced hornets are highly aggressive and will swarm intruders if they sense a threat. Their sting is particularly painful. They are beneficial predators, feeding on flies and caterpillars.
5. Great Black Wasp
With a shiny, jet-black body and large size (up to 1.5 inches), the great black wasp is solitary and non-aggressive. Females hunt katydids and grasshoppers to feed their larvae. These wasps nest in the ground or cracks and crevices. While they may appear intimidating, they rarely sting and are considered beneficial.
6. Cicada Killer Wasp
Cicada killers are among the largest wasps in North America, measuring up to 2 inches long. They have reddish-brown heads, black bodies, and yellow banding on the abdomen. Solitary by nature, they dig burrows in sandy soil to house their larvae, which feed on paralyzed cicadas. Males may hover aggressively but cannot sting. Females sting only to subdue prey.
7. Red Wasp
Red wasps are a subspecies of paper wasps with reddish-brown coloring and black wings. They build medium-sized paper nests and are commonly found in the southeastern U.S. These wasps are territorial and will defend their nests if threatened. They feed on nectar and insects and are particularly active during summer.
8. Mud Dauber
Mud daubers are solitary wasps that construct tubular nests from mud. These nests are commonly found under eaves, inside sheds, or on walls. They vary in color from black to metallic blue or even yellow-striped. Mud daubers are non-aggressive and beneficial, as they prey on spiders. They do not defend their nests like social wasps do.
9. Asian Giant Hornet
Known for their size (up to 2 inches) and potent venom, Asian giant hornets have orange heads with prominent eyes and black-and-orange banded bodies. They are aggressive hunters, capable of decimating honeybee colonies. While rare in the U.S., sightings in the Pacific Northwest have raised concern. They nest underground and should be avoided.
10. Blue Mud Wasp
Also called the blue mud dauber, this wasp has a shiny metallic-blue body and is solitary by nature. It preys on black widow spiders, making it a beneficial insect. Their nests are often found in sheds, garages, and under outdoor furniture. They are not aggressive and rarely sting humans.
11. Cuckoo Wasp
Small and brilliantly colored, cuckoo wasps range from iridescent green to blue. Instead of building their own nests, they lay eggs in the nests of other solitary wasps. The larvae consume the host’s provisions. These wasps are not aggressive and are a rare sight for most homeowners.
12. German Yellow Jacket
Smaller and more aggressive than the American yellow jacket, the German yellow jacket has a distinct black and yellow pattern with a black dot on the face. These wasps often nest inside homes or wall cavities. They are highly adaptable and active from spring to late fall. Their nests can grow quite large, making removal difficult without professional help.
13. Potter Wasp
Named for their pot-like mud nests, potter wasps are solitary and beneficial due to their appetite for caterpillars. They have black or brown bodies with white or yellow bands. Their nests are typically found on twigs, rocks, or walls. Potter wasps are not aggressive and rarely sting.
14. Braconid Wasp
These wasps are tiny, slender, and mostly parasitic. They lay eggs in pests like aphids and caterpillars. Braconid wasps are typically brown or black and are considered excellent biological control agents in agriculture and gardening. They pose no threat to humans.
15. Ichneumon Wasp
Ichneumon wasps have long, thin bodies and can be identified by their extended ovipositors. They parasitize the larvae of beetles, moths, and butterflies. Though they look intimidating, ichneumon wasps do not sting humans and are completely harmless.
16. Four-Toothed Mason Wasp
This solitary species has a shiny black body with white markings and builds nests in holes in wood or abandoned beetle burrows. Females provide the nests with caterpillars. They are typically found in the southern U.S. and are not aggressive.
17. Mexican Honey Wasp
Small, dark, and round-bodied, Mexican honey wasps live in colonies and produce small quantities of honey. They are social and build paper nests in trees. While they can sting, they are not particularly aggressive unless the nest is disturbed. They’re common in Texas and parts of Central America.
18. Scoliid Wasp
Scoliid wasps are large, fuzzy wasps with blue-black bodies and yellow markings. They are often seen hovering over lawns where they search for beetle grubs to parasitize. Despite their size, they are gentle and beneficial insects.
19. Polistes Dominula (European Paper Wasp)
This invasive species resembles yellow jackets but has thinner bodies and longer legs. They are more tolerant of human activity and often nest around homes. European paper wasps are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will sting if provoked.
20. Southern Yellow Jacket
A highly aggressive species found in the southeastern U.S., the southern yellow jacket constructs large underground nests. They have vivid yellow and black markings and will attack in swarms if the nest is threatened. Their stings are extremely painful and can be dangerous in large numbers.
Wasp Trouble? Call Bugaboo.
Don’t take chances with wasp nests. Contact Bugaboo Pest Control for safe, expert removal.
