There are hundreds of different species of wasps in Ohio, many of which are attracted to places where they may not be welcome. These intruders often form nests, leading to infestations and annoyances. The key to preventing unwanted nests is understanding what attracts wasps in Ohio and the environmental conditions they need to thrive. Hi, my name is John, and I am The Pest Detective! With years of experience as an exterminator, I find joy in sharing my in-depth knowledge of pests with fellow Ohioans, including the various species of wasps. In this article, I’ll cover all of the common wasps in Ohio and include s so you can identify them quickly.
Wasps are ubiquitous in Ohio during the warmer months Over 200 species have been documented in the state, from tiny solitary wasps to the large and social bald-faced hornets While many people are wary of wasps due to their potential to deliver painful stings, these insects play vital ecological roles as predators, pollinators, and parasites of pest insects. Learning to identify the most common species can help Ohioans appreciate the diversity and value of wasps while taking sensible precautions around nesting areas.
When Are Wasps Active in Ohio?
Nearly all species of wasps in Ohio are only active between spring and fall when temperatures are warm enough for them to fly and forage effectively. Peak activity is from June through August. When overnight lows drop to around 53°F in autumn, wasps become sluggish and die off.
Only fertilized queen wasps overwinter sheltered in logs stumps thick leaf litter, underground, and other protected areas. They emerge on warm days in April or May to start building nests. By late summer or early fall, mature colonies of social wasps can number in the hundreds or even thousands of individuals before new queens and males are produced. The colonies die out with the first hard frost.
Do All Wasps Sting?
The female wasps of most species can sting, using a modified egg-laying structure called an ovipositor. However, tiny parasitic wasps often cannot sting at all.
Social wasps like yellowjackets defend their large nests aggressively and are quick to sting when disturbed. Solitary wasps rarely sting unless handled roughly. Their stings can be painful but are primarily used to subdue prey rather than for defense.
Only female wasps can sting. Male wasps lack an ovipositor. Some are territorial and may bluff aggression but cannot inject venom.
Types of Nests Built by Wasps
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Underground nests – Most social wasps such as yellowjackets dig nests in existing cavities like abandoned rodent burrows. Some solitary wasps also dig burrows.
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Mud nests – Potter wasps and mud daubers construct nests from mud, fashioning vase-like pots or tubular cells cemented to walls and rafters.
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Paper nests – Bald-faced hornets and some paper wasps build intricate papery envelopes enclosing hexagonal brood combs.
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Galleries in wood – Some solitary wasps chew nesting galleries in the pith of branches and twigs or use abandoned beetle tunnels.
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Parasitism – Cuckoo wasps and other cleptoparasites do not build nests but lay eggs in the nests of other wasp or bee species.
Common Wasps in Ohio
Here are some of the most frequently encountered wasps in backyards, gardens, and buildings across Ohio:
Yellowjackets (Vespidae family)
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Eastern Yellowjacket – This yellow and black striped species builds its nests underground. It vigorously defends the area around the nest entrance.
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German Yellowjacket – An invasive species from Europe that often nests in wall voids and attics. It produces very large colonies of thousands.
Hornets (Vespidae family)
- Bald-faced Hornet – Makes impressive gray football-sized nests hanging from tree branches. It has a painful sting but is not highly aggressive.
Potter Wasps (Vespidae family)
- Leopard Potter Wasp – Solitary species that builds tiny clay urns on walls to shelter its larvae. The mud pots resemble stacked donut holes.
Mud Dauber Wasps (Sphecidae family)
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Black and Yellow Mud Dauber – A common and familiar wasp that builds its mud nests on walls and under eaves to hold paralyzed orbweaver spiders.
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Blue Mud Dauber – A shiny blue solitary wasp that hunts black widow spiders and renovates old mud dauber nests.
Paper Wasps (Vespidae family)
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Northern Paper Wasp – This native species builds small open comb nests in cavities. It is not very aggressive.
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European Paper Wasp – An interloper from Europe that constructs its nests under eaves and may occupy bird houses. It has displaced native paper wasps in many locations.
Thread-waisted Wasps (Sphecidae family)
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Great Black Wasp – A large black wasp that provisions its nest with paralyzed katydids left for its larvae to eat. The female wasp lugs the heavy katydids through the air when returning to her burrow.
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Steel-blue Cricket Hunter – A brightly colored metallic blue solitary wasp that drags paralyzed field crickets into simple underground burrows.
Cuckoo Wasps (Chrysididae family)
- Ruby-tailed Wasps – Beautiful but parasite wasps with iridescent blue-green abdomens. They sneak their eggs into the nests of potter wasps, mud daubers, and related host species.
Velvet Ants (Mutillidae family)
- Eastern Velvet Ant – The flightless females are covered in dense hair and resemble large ants. They can deliver an extremely painful sting. Males are winged and look more typically wasp-like.
Sawflies (Various families)
- Elm Sawfly – The larvae are sometimes mistaken for caterpillars as they feed in groups on the leaves of elm, birch, and other trees. The adult looks more like a wasp.
As this overview of just some of Ohio’s wasp diversity shows, learning to recognize the most common species can allow us to marvel at their uniqueness and value while taking sensible precautions. By better understanding wasp behavior and ecology, these insects need not be feared but respected. With over 200 species calling Ohio home, chances to observe fascinating wasp behaviors abound for the attentive naturalist.
Cicada Killer Wasp
–Sphecius specius
Cicada Killer Wasps in Ohio form their nests in the ground. Openings are one-half an inch in diameter which allows the dead Cicada to fit through. These nests have Cicadas spread throughout the chambers. After Cicada Killer Wasps in Ohio lay their egg inside a chamber, they will leave at least one Cicada inside the chamber and seal off the opening, this provides enough food for the larvae to survive until pupation which is a process that takes about two weeks. Cicada Killer Wasps in Ohio can be found in grassy areas where the soil is properly humid.
Here’s the pricing you can expect for Wasp Extermination: How Much Does An Exterminator Cost
When Are Wasps in Ohio Active?
Wasps in Ohio are active between April and October when temperatures are optimal for peak wasp activity. They prefer to come out towards the middle of the day when it is warm, and they are less active in the early morning and towards dusk as temperatures drop. After the outside temperature drops below 53 degrees, wasps lose strength and begin to fly sluggishly.
Nearly all wasps in Ohio sting and those with wasp allergies should be extremely cautious around them. Removing wasp nests can be dangerous without proper protection. If you need any assistance with wasp extermination in Ohio feel free to call The Pest Detective at (216)-758-0603 to have a professional at your doorstep the same day.
Read on to learn about all common wasps in Ohio!
Hornets Giant Nest in Ohio Car
FAQ
What is the most common wasp in Ohio?
The Dark Paper Wasp is one of the most common wasps in Ohio. They can be identified by their yellow legs and dark body. Dark Paper Wasps form umbrella-shaped nests out of a material that looks like paper which is what separates paper wasps from other types.
How do I identify my wasp?
How to Identify a Wasp? Wasps look similar to bees but have a few distinct differences. They have long, slender bodies with sparse hair. Wasps may be solid black, solid yellow, or bright yellow-orange or yellow and black with stripes.
Are there wasps in the mud dauber in Ohio?
Black and yellow mud dauber is a common name for the sphecid wasp species Sceliphron caementarium. They are solitary insects that build nests out of mud, in sheltered locations, frequently on man-made structure such as bridges, barns, open porches or under the eaves of houses.
Do black mason wasps sting?
Both the mason and potter wasps are capable of stinging, but rarely do so unless extremely provoked. Even still, they should be treated with caution, as mason and potter wasp stings are painful and, like any other wasp sting, will cause redness and swelling.