Insect
Paper Wasp
Polistes spp.
Paper wasps build the open, umbrella-shaped paper combs you'll find under eaves, pergolas, patio umbrellas and inside garden sheds. They are highly defensive of their nest and deliver a painful sting that can be life-threatening to allergic individuals. Removal requires evening treatment with the correct dust or pressurised aerosol.
How to identify
- 15–25 mm slender body, long dangling legs in flight
- Yellow-brown with darker bands, narrow waist
- Open paper-comb nests under eaves and pergolas
- Aggressive when nest is approached or disturbed
Where they hide
- Under eaves, pergolas and patio roofs
- Inside garden sheds and outbuildings
- Under outdoor light fittings
- Inside open meter boxes and pool pump rooms
Health & property risks
- Painful sting — multiple stings possible
- Anaphylaxis risk for allergic adults and children
- Nest defends aggressively when disturbed
- DIY removal causes most sting incidents
Prevention tips
- Inspect eaves and pergolas in early spring
- Treat small nests before they grow
- Never knock nests down without treating first
- Call a professional for any nest above head height
FAQs
Paper Wasp — answered
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