Wasps: nests under eaves, patios and block walls.

Identifying wasps

Paper wasps are the most common wasps around Valley homes. They have long legs that dangle in flight and slim bodies in brown, reddish or yellow-banded patterns. They build open, umbrella-shaped paper nests with visible cells, often hanging from a single stalk under eaves and patio covers.

Mud daubers are slender, thread-waisted wasps that build tube-shaped mud nests on walls and ceilings. They rarely sting. Tarantula hawks, the big blue-black wasps with orange wings, hunt tarantulas and are usually seen around flowers. They are not aggressive but have a very painful sting.

Wasps are attracted to water, shade and protected surfaces. Pools, drippers and fountains give them water. Patio ceilings, light fixtures, grills, play equipment, shutters and holes in block wall caps give them shelter. Nests start small in spring, often with a single queen, and can grow to dozens of wasps by midsummer. Many homeowners do not notice until someone gets stung opening a door or using the grill.

Why they matter

Unlike honey bees, wasps can sting more than once, and paper wasps defend their nest when people get close. That makes nests near doors, patios and play areas a real concern for kids and pets. Stings can be medically significant: call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 for a severe reaction.

Signs of activity

• Umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, patio covers or light fixtures
• Wasps flying in and out of holes in block wall caps or the ground
• Mud dauber nests on stucco walls, garage ceilings or under patio covers (a thin mud tube running up from the soil or slab is a termite sign instead)
• Wasps landing at the pool edge, fountains or drip lines for water
• Wasps chewing on wooden fences, furniture or play sets for nest material

Prevention tips for Arizona homes

• Check eaves, patio covers, light fixtures and play sets regularly from spring through summer
• Fill holes in block wall caps and seal gaps in stucco and around fixtures
• Fix dripping hose bibs and drippers that give wasps an easy water source
• Keep trash cans closed and clean up spilled food and drinks outdoors
• Store grills, toys and patio items so wasps cannot nest inside them
• Leave large nests alone, especially near doors and walkways

When to call a pro

Call when a nest is near a door, patio or play area, high up, inside a wall or block cap, or when someone in the home is sensitive to stings. Bryce removes active nests safely and treats common nesting spots so they are less likely to return.