Calm wasps, until you bump the nest
Paper wasps mostly mind their own business, but a nest by the front door is a different story.
Spot the umbrella.
Look for a gray, open comb hanging from a single stem under eaves, rails and grill lids.
Give them space.
Paper wasps sting to defend the nest, so keep kids and pets back until it’s handled.
Let us knock it down.
Wasps are covered on our plans, and nests come down as part of every visit.
Paper wasps are long-legged wasps that build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, decks and porch rails. They’re mostly calm away from the nest, but they will sting if you get close to it.
The good news: wasps are covered on our home pest control plans, and knocking down nests is part of every visit. Here’s how to spot them and stay safe until we get there.
How do you identify paper wasps?
Paper wasps have slender bodies, a thin waist and long legs that dangle when they fly. Most are brown or reddish with yellow markings.
Yellow jackets look similar but are stockier, bright yellow and black, and fly fast and low. Paper wasps drift slowly with their legs hanging down. Our stinging insects page covers the other wasps and hornets you’ll see around Kansas City.
What does a paper wasp nest look like?
A paper wasp nest is a single, open comb of gray paper cells hanging from one short stem. You can see the cells from below, and it has no outer shell.
They chew wood fibers into a papery pulp to build it. Common spots in KC include:
- Eaves, soffits and gutters
- Porch ceilings, door frames and light fixtures
- Deck railings and the underside of patio furniture
- Grill lids, mailboxes and shutters
Nests start small in spring with one queen. By late summer they can hold dozens of wasps.
Are paper wasps dangerous?
Paper wasps are usually docile unless their nest is disturbed. Away from the nest, a single wasp at your hummingbird feeder rarely stings.
Trouble starts when a nest sits where people walk, mow or grab a door handle. A sting hurts and swells for most people. Anyone with a known allergy, or who has trouble breathing after a sting, should get medical care right away.
How do we handle paper wasps on a plan?
Paper wasps are covered on every recurring plan, and our techs knock down webs and nests on each visit. We also apply an exterior barrier around eaves, entry points and other spots where wasps like to build.
If a new nest shows up between visits, call us. Free re-service between scheduled visits comes with every plan, so you’re never stuck with a nest by the door. See how that works in our re-service guarantee post.
Want tips before we arrive? Read how to identify and safely remove wasp nests.
Learn the difference between paper wasps, yellow jackets nesting in the ground and bald-faced hornets.
Got paper wasps building under the eaves? Call 913-735-5451, answered 24/7, or schedule online. Most services can be scheduled same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paper wasps rarely sting unless you get close to or bump their nest. A nest near a door, deck or play area is the one worth removing.
Paper wasps are most active from spring through early fall, with the biggest nests in late summer. Queens start new nests in spring, and colonies grow through the warm months.
No, paper wasps build a new nest each spring. They often build again in the same sheltered spots, so it helps to knock old nests down and watch those spots in spring.
Yes, wasps and hornets are covered on all Rock Pest home pest control plans. Nest knockdown is part of every visit, and free re-service covers new nests between visits.
You can, but expect stings if wasps are home and defending it. If the nest is high, large or near a door, call a pro so no one gets hurt.
