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Every year, these guys make nests around my house. The first year, a neighbor came and got rid of them. The second year, I sprayed some myself, felt bad and vowed never to do it again. They're back again this year and I really don't want to kill them, but I have a four year old and they are right out the back door. Can anyone tell me what exactly they are and whether they are aggressive? I would appreciate any information.
This is a photo of one of the nests and a link to a video that shows the actual wasps. Thank you.
Paper wasps in genus Polistes - these usually are not aggressive, but will defend their nest. I've only been stung when I accidentally disturbed a nest that had been hidden from my view.
Flapdoodle, thank you! I could not definitively I.D. them using a book I have. But after posting, I found several really good websites online from which I was able to also conclude that they are paper wasps.
Sadly, however, the web sites were all in agreement that I can't leave them near an entrance to my home. Their numbers will continue to grow, they can signal each other to attack and they don't lose ther stingers so they can keep stinging.
They aren't aggressive but eventually my daughter, who adores them, is going to accidentally get them riled up.
I am going to look into having them relocated humanely.
