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If you have spotted a papery nest tucked under your eaves or hanging in a tree, your first question is probably whether it belongs to wasps or hornets, and how worried you should be. Here is the simple way to tell them apart and decide what to do next.
Quick answer: A paper wasp nest is usually small, open, and umbrella-shaped, with visible honeycomb cells, often under eaves, railings, or grills. A hornet nest, most often a bald-faced hornet here in North Carolina, is large and fully enclosed, shaped like a grey paper football, usually high in a tree or on the side of a house. Hornet nests are bigger, more defended, and are best left to a professional.
How to Spot a Wasp Nest
The most common backyard wasp is the paper wasp. Its nest is open and looks like a small upside-down umbrella, with the honeycomb cells exposed on the underside. You will usually find them in sheltered spots: under eaves and porch ceilings, inside grills, mailboxes, and door frames. Paper wasp nests stay fairly small, often the size of a fist or a saucer, and you can frequently see the wasps walking on the comb.
How to Spot a Hornet Nest
A bald-faced hornet builds a very different nest: a large, closed, grey papery shell shaped like a teardrop or football, with a single small opening near the bottom. These nests are built out in the open, hanging from tree branches, shrubs, or the side of a structure, and can grow to the size of a basketball by late summer. Because the nest is sealed, you will not see the insects crawling on it the way you do with paper wasps. Yellowjackets, which are also a type of wasp, build similar enclosed nests but usually hide them underground or inside wall cavities.
Wasp Nest vs Hornet Nest: Key Differences
- Shape: Wasp nest is open with visible cells. Hornet nest is fully enclosed.
- Size: Wasp nests stay small. Hornet nests can reach basketball size.
- Location: Wasps favor sheltered eaves and railings. Hornets hang nests in the open, often high up.
- Appearance: Hornet nests have a smooth grey papery shell with one entry hole. Paper wasp nests show the honeycomb.
- Defensiveness: Both will sting, but hornets defend their larger enclosed nests aggressively.
Which One Is More Dangerous?
Hornets are technically a type of wasp, and both can sting more than once. The bigger risk with hornets is the colony: their nests hold more insects and they react fast and in numbers when the nest is disturbed. Paper wasps are less aggressive unless you get close to the nest. For anyone allergic to stings, both are a real hazard, and any nest near a door, walkway, or play area is worth removing promptly.
What to Do If You Find a Nest
A small, new paper wasp nest in an easy-to-reach spot can sometimes be handled with care in the early evening when the insects are calm. A large, enclosed hornet nest, a yellowjacket nest in the ground or a wall, or any nest you cannot reach safely is a different story. Knocking down an active hornet nest is how people get swarmed and stung repeatedly. If the nest is bigger than a golf ball, enclosed, or near where your family spends time, call a professional. Scott’s Turf and Pest Services handles safe wasp and hornet nest removal across the Triangle. See our residential pest control options or reach out for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it is a hornet nest or a wasp nest?
Look at the shape and whether it is open or closed. A paper wasp nest is small and open with visible honeycomb cells, usually under an eave or railing. A hornet nest is a large, enclosed grey shell shaped like a football, usually hanging in a tree or on a wall with one small entrance hole.
Are hornets more dangerous than wasps?
Hornets are a type of wasp and both can sting repeatedly. Hornets tend to be more dangerous because their colonies are larger and they defend their enclosed nests aggressively. For anyone with a sting allergy, both should be treated as a serious risk.
Should I remove a wasp or hornet nest myself?
A small, new paper wasp nest in an easy-to-reach spot can sometimes be treated carefully in the evening. A large or enclosed hornet nest, a ground or wall yellowjacket nest, or any nest you cannot safely reach should be left to a professional, since disturbing it can trigger a swarm.
What time of year are hornet and wasp nests most active?
Nests are smallest in spring and grow through summer, reaching peak size and population in late summer and early fall. That is when colonies are largest and most defensive, so late-season removal is best handled by a professional.
How do I keep wasps and hornets from nesting around my home?
Check eaves, railings, and sheds early in the season and knock down small starter nests before colonies grow, keep trash sealed and food covered outdoors, and seal gaps around the roofline and siding. A recurring pest control plan catches new nests before they become a problem.