Top 6 Types of Wasps in Pennsylvania: Which Are Dangerous?

The warmer weather invites us outside to return to nature and finally enjoy that warm sunlight.

However, humans are not the only animals that emerge from their winter slumber with the coming of spring and summer.

Beneficial pollinators, such as stinging insects, may find their way to your Pennsylvania backyard in search of plants and places to establish hives.

While wasps are not pollinators and can be quite aggressive, they are actually beneficial predators that help fight aphids and other crop-destroying insects.

Therefore, it’s important to understand the types of wasps found in our state and what steps to take to prevent them organically. This will allow you to enjoy your backyard free of wasps while also protecting them from harm.

What’s a Wasp?

Wasps are flying insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, which is the same group that includes bees and ants.

Unlike bees, which are primarily pollinators, wasps are predators that feed on other insects, such as aphids. They can be solitary or social, depending on the species, and many of them are known for their distinctive black and yellow bodies.

How to Identify a Wasp

One key characteristic that sets wasps apart from bees is their smooth, slender bodies and narrow waists. Most wasps have two pairs of wings and strong mandibles for capturing prey. Additionally, their stingers remain intact after use, allowing them to sting multiple times, unlike bees, which lose their stingers after a single sting.

Key Wasp Characteristics

• Body Shape: Wasps have a more streamlined and slender body with a distinct narrow waist.
• Coloration: Many species have bright black and yellow markings, though some may be red, orange, or metallic blue.
• Behavior: Unlike bees, wasps are predatory and tend to be more aggressive.
• Nesting Habits: Some species build nests out of paper-like material, while others make burrows in the ground or mud nests on walls.

If you encounter a wasp, it is best to observe from a distance and avoid provoking them, as they can be defensive and aggressive if threatened.

Wasp vs. Bees vs. Hornets

While wasps, bees, and hornets are all associated with each other, they are vastly different insects.

Bees are typically hairy, while a wasp tends to be smooth and shiny. Wasps can also be identified by their narrow waist. They also have brightly covered bands, typically black and yellow, and four wings.

Bees are mostly colony creatures, and they live in their hives year-round. They can also create honey, which a wasp cannot.

Finally, when it comes down to stinging, bees can only sting once and die after attacking. They are far less aggressive than their wasp counterparts. Wasps, on the other hand, are natural predators and are capable of stinging multiple times.

Many people also confuse hornets and wasps. However, a hornet is simply a type of wasp. Hornets are large and social and are considered pretty aggressive.

Identifying the difference between a hornet’s wasp and a wasps’ nest can help you determine which one is on your property.

Are Wasps Dangerous?

Wasps are naturally an aggressive species; if you enter their space, their predatorial instinct will kick in, and they can attack. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times, and if you have an allergy, that could prove to be deadly.

Thankfully, wasps will not go out of their way to harm you. If you keep your distance or don’t appear as a threat, wasps will leave you alone. While most wasps can be tempestuous, not all species are. The trick is knowing what you have before you act.

With that said, here’s a look at the top six types of wasps you can find in Pennsylvania.

6 Common Types of Wasps in Pennsylvania

A wide range of wasps is found throughout Pennsylvania, including traditional hornets and mud daubers.

1. Bald-Faced Hornet

This relative of the yellowjacket is easy to identify from its color. Their faces are mostly white, while their bodies are black. These insects are on the larger side, ranging from ½ – ⅝ inches.

Bald-faced hornets are known for building aerial nests, which can easily be the size of a basketball. They can build them as high as 10-12 feet off the ground.

If you do find a nest on your property, this is one you want to stay away from. Bald-faced hornets can be extremely aggressive and are known for their powerful sting. These wasps are not all bad; they often feed on pests. However, the benefit here may be outweighed by the danger.

2. Cicada Killer Wasps

With a name this terrifying, it’s easy to get worried about these wasps. Don’t worry; they sound scarier than they are. A larger yellow jacket, Cicada Killer wasps are about 1 ½ long. Like most wasps, they have yellow and black striped segments, but they also have a reddish-brown colored head.

Typically found in early summer, these wasps are pollinators. And unless you are a cicada, you have nothing to fear. As the name implies, these insects kill and eat cicadas. They also lay their eggs in them.

When it comes to stinging, like most wasps, they will sting if they feel threatened, but only the females have the capability. Males do not sting, but they will aggressively fly around to scare you off.

3. Paper Wasps

Paper Wasps are often mistaken for bees, though they are not fuzzy. They are reddish-brown or black in color and can be between ½ inch to 1 ½ inch long.

As the name implies, they create paper from chewing wood and vegetation to make nests. They also tend to keep to themselves and will only sting if they feel threatened.

Paper wasps can be quite beneficial for gardens. They are especially good at taking care of caterpillars, and they can also pollinate your plants.

4. Eastern Yellowjacket

These ground-nesting wasps can be found pretty much anywhere, even beyond Pennsylvania. Social insects, you can identify these flying stingers by their distinct yellow and black coloration.

They also like to build their nests in the most inconvenient places, like picnic tables, playground equipment, and other high-traffic areas.

Though eastern yellowjackets are great at reducing pests, they can be hyper-aggressive, especially if you venture near their hives. They will sting without hesitating to protect their home, and those stings can prove quite painful.

5. Scoliid Wasps

The blue-winged scoliids are unique-looking. They have the familiar, segmented wasp shape but with a few colorful differences. Their heads are black, and their abdomens are red; however, their most stand-out traits are their blue wings. These insects are about ½ inches long and mainly pollinate.

Unlike other wasps, blue-winged scoliids rarely sting. As long as you don’t appear as a threat, they will likely leave you alone. However, if you are a June or Japanese beetle, you better look out. These feed and lay eggs in those beetles, acting as predators and parasitoids.

6. Mud Daubers

Commonly found in mud nests, mud daubers are thinner than other wasps. Typically between a ½ inch – 1 -inch long, their waists are as thin as thread.

However, these wasps look much more frightening than they are. They don’t defend their homes and aren’t social insects. They will rarely sting, if ever. They are more beneficial for taking care of other pests.

While not completely dangerous, they do create nests that may serve as a home for other wasps or pests. These wasps create nest holes that harden over time.

Bee-on the Lookout for Wasps

A wasp can be equally beneficial and dangerous if left unchecked. While they can be beneficial as pest control experts themselves, as predators, most types tend to be extremely aggressive.

And unlike bees, if you encounter some angry wasps, they will continue to sting you. If you discover a wasp’s nest in your yard, your best course of action would be to call a pest control specialist and stay sting-free.

FAQs

What attracts wasps to my yard?

Wasps are drawn to food sources, such as sugary drinks, meats, fruits, and flowering plants. They also seek out sheltered areas to build their nests, like under eaves, in trees, or in attics.

How can I prevent wasps from nesting near my home?

To deter wasps, keep food and drinks covered outdoors, regularly dispose of trash, and seal entry points around your home. Hanging decoy nests can also discourage new colonies from forming.

What should I do if I get stung by a wasp?

Wash the sting area with soap and water, apply ice to reduce swelling, and take an antihistamine if needed. If you experience severe reactions like difficulty breathing or swelling beyond the sting site, seek medical attention immediately.