Frisco Homeowners’ Handy Paper Wasp Prevention Guide

While they may get their name from the paper-like nests they build, there’s nothing paper-like about the painful stings these wasps may inflict on you if you get too close. Here’s what Frisco homeowners should know about paper wasps. What they look like, how dangerous they are, what attracts them to your property, and the best way to keep them out of your Frisco yard.

What Do Paper Wasps In Frisco Look Like?

While they may be easy to mistake for yellow jackets from a distance, paper wasps have a slimmer, thinner waist and mostly brown coloring. Some paper wasps can have yellow markings, and with some types of paper wasps, you may even see bolder colors like orange or red. Paper wasps may look almost triangular from the side, and you can usually spot their antennae. These stinging insects have translucent wings, and they can grow anywhere from ½-inch to 1 ½-inch in length. 

How Dangerous Are Paper Wasps In Frisco?

Compared to more aggressive stinging insects, like yellow jackets, paper wasps don’t pose as much of a threat, but they can still be dangerous if you encounter them on your property. What makes paper wasps more harmful or threatening than honeybees is that these insects can sting you repeatedly without consequence. 

Fortunately, paper wasps usually won’t sting unless they feel threatened or like the rest of their nest is at risk. However, if you accidentally stumble upon a paper wasp nest in your yard, these wasps may attack in swarms and sting you multiple times. A few stings may not require medical attention, but if you’re swarmed by enough paper wasps, this can become dangerous. 

Paper wasp stings are especially troublesome if you’re allergic to these wasps or stinging insects. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to a wasp sting might include:

• Swelling in your lips, throat, or eyelids

• Difficulty breathing

• A rapid heartbeat that won’t go away

• Faintness, confusion, or dizziness

• Hives or a spreading rash across your skin

• Nausea, vomiting, or cramping

If you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above after getting stung by a paper wasp, you should seek medical attention immediately. 

What Attracts Paper Wasps To Frisco Yards?

Although it’s normal for the occasional wasp to wander into your yard, some factors can attract paper wasps onto your property and even prompt them to build a nest, such as:

Shelter: Paper wasps need a place to build their nests, and this species usually prefers to build open-air nests that may hang from tree branches or building eaves. Sturdy trees and roof overhangs on your property can look appealing to paper wasps.

Food: Like many pests, wasps can be attracted to the food in your yard or property, especially if you’ve got sweets or protein lying around. Paper wasps will eat any kind of protein source that’s left outside, but they also won’t hesitate to go after sugary substances, beverages, or even flowering plants. Thriving gardens and food scraps can always be a potential draw for paper wasps.

Standing water: To survive, paper wasps also need some sort of water or moisture source. Standing water sources on your property, like birdbaths, pet bowls full of water, or even puddles that fill up after the rain, can draw thirsty paper wasps to your Frisco property.

What’s The Best Way To Keep Paper Wasps Away From My Frisco Yard?

Even if paper wasps aren’t as aggressive as some types of stinging insects, that doesn’t mean you want them living or building a nest on your Frisco property. Given how dangerous they can be if you do encroach upon their territory, there’s only one safe and effective way for getting rid of paper wasps in Frisco, and that’s by enlisting the professional help of All-Safe Pest & Termite. 

With consistent five-star ratings from our customers and award-winning service, we are the trusted choice for paper wasp management and nest removal for Frisco homeowners. If you think you’ve stumbled upon a wasp nest or you’re finding more paper wasps around your Frisco yard, there’s only one thing to do – contact us at All-Safe Pest & Termite to learn more about our stinging insect control services or to schedule a free estimate.