Identifying & Controlling Alabama Wasps

Wasps are known by many names – hornets, yellow jackets, dirt dauber. There are many different types of wasps buzzing around Alabama, but no matter what you call them they are all predatory flying insects that you probably don’t want to have around. They are testy little creatures that will make a home in or on your home then expect you to respect their space.

Below is a quick guide to the wasps you will find in the Cotton State.

Bald-Faced Hornet

This insect is a part of the yellow jacket family, but it is mainly black with yellow bands on its bottom. They are typically 12-15mm long, however the queen can grow to 20mm. Bald-faced Hornets aren’t all bad since they prey on other yellow jackets and flies. But these guys are easily agitated and will sting repeatedly once they start.

Their above ground nest is a greyish paper material that’s shaped like a football. Luckily the Bald-faced Hornet prefers to build its nest in trees and shrubs rather than the overhangs of homes. Early extermination is important because these highly social wasps can build colonies with up to 400 insects.

Black and Yellow Mud Dauber

The body of the Black and Yellow Mud Dauber is almost solid black while the legs are completely yellow. It’s not as aggressive as other types of wasps, but if provoked they will sting. The mud part of the name comes from how this wasp makes its nest. They will roll up balls of mud then hollow out the center for their eggs. The balls are crudely attached to make nests that are often found under bridges, beams, and awnings.

Blue-Winged Wasp

Although the name suggests otherwise, the wings of this wasp are actually black. They are black from the waist up, but their bottom half it is mostly yellow-orange. The Blue-Winged Wasp is non-aggressive and actually protects gardens from the Japanese beetle.

Common Thread Waisted Wasp

This wasp has an extremely thin body that resembles a dragonfly. They may be pretty, but they are quick and vicious when it comes to stunning their prey. In addition to other insects, the Common Thread Waisted Wasp also eats nectar and don’t usually sting.

Cuckoo Wasp

The Cuckoo Wasp is small, but you can see it from a mile away. Unlike other wasps, the Cuckoo Wasp has a metallic blue and green coloring. They lay their eggs in another insects’ nests and leave the egg raising to others. Once the larvae hatch they’ll begin eating the other little bees, wasps and insects that share their home.

Five-Banded Tiphiid Wasp

The bright yellow and black bands and shiny wings make the Five-Banded Tiphiid Wasps easy to spot. They are helpful in the garden because they eat plant-destroying beetles. The females can sting, however the males lack a stinger.

Four-Toothed Mason Wasp

This wasp is almost entirely jet black with a few white bands, and looks very similar to the Bald-faced Wasp. They too prey on garden-killing caterpillars. The Four-Toothed Mason Wasp makes a home out of the abandoned nests of carpenter ants and mud daubers.

Great Golden Digger Wasp

The Great Golden Digger Wasp is one insect you don’t have to be afraid of because they are really docile. It is a very vividly colored insect with bright yellow, orange and purple on its body and legs. They will dig deep tunnels into the ground so the only time you’ll see them is when they are flying around flowers looking for nectar to eat.

Horntail Wasp

The Horntail Wasp has a very distinctive look. Its body is very cylindrical and almost entirely black, while the wings are a dark gold color. These insects look much more harmful than they actually are and aren’t very aggressive.

Leucospid Wasp

The yellow and black Leucospid Wasp looks like a bee but has a large, bulbous bottom half and hints of purple in its wing. They also have large hind legs and are mostly hairless. If other bees and wasps are around there is a good chance that female Leucospid wasps are too. That’s because they lay their eggs in the nests of other similar insects. Once the Leucospid larvae hatches it will begin eating all the other eggs, which makes them a good source of pest control.

Mutillid Wasp

These little guys are easy to mistake for ants, but don’t underestimate them. Their sting is one of the worst on the planet. Mutillid Wasps are a solitary type of wasp, meaning they don’t build big colonies. You can tell them apart from ants by their straight antennae.

Northern Paper Wasp

This is one of the most common types of wasp. They are very social and need a good supply of wood to use for their nests. That is why Northern Paper Wasp nests are often found on and around homes. They are helpful because they eat plant-destroying caterpillars, but they deliver painful stings if you get around their nest. The risk is increased since there are multiple fertile females at any given time. The nests are the traditional honeycomb like structures that are attached to walls and ceilings.

Potter Wasp

They are easy to identify by their large, jug-like nests as well as their purple wings. During the summer Potter Wasps are laying eggs in their nests and gathering food for the young insects that will soon join their ranks. The low-lying nests can usually be found on tree trunks and branches.

Spider Wasp

The Spider Wasp is easy to spot because it has bright red-orange legs. These wasps were given their name due to the fact that they hunt down and eat spiders. Instead of making their own nests they use old mud pots from mud daubers. If you have had mud daubers in the past you may find Spider Wasps in the same exact spot. Eggs along with spider food are put in the pots then closed up so the larvae can safely hatch. But be careful to stay away from the babies or the female wasps will get angry.

Weevil Wasp

The Weevil Wasp gets its name because it preys on weevils. Their top half is nearly all black, while the bottom half of their bodies are vibrantly banded in black and yellow. Nests are created underground in loose soil where different chambers or cells can be constructed. These wasps can actually be helpful at controlling beetles in a garden.

Yellow Jacket

This stinging insect is well known for its bright yellow and black coloring. They can be found across the U.S., including Alabama. Yellow Jackets are most frequently seen in the summertime since they are attracted to al fresco food. They also eat other insects and nectar. You’ll want to steer clear their low, ground-level nests because the female Yellow Jackets are extremely aggressive and their venom is more potent than bees.

Although wasps are good pollinators and can help control bugs in the summer, they do pose a potential safety threat. It is especially important that anyone with allergies immediately contact a professional pest control company for assistance in getting rid of nests before they grow any larger.

Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/pest-profiles/identifying-controlling-alabama-wasps/