One or two days of warm weather and the paper wasps are abuzz! Activated by the warmer weather the paper wasps are out looking to start building and re-building nests for summer.

How do you know a paper wasp from other wasps? Probably the best way to identify them is that they are the wasp with the “dangling legs”. A set of the wasps legs appear long and hang straight down when in flight - unlike other common problem wasps in New Zealand. The species “Polistes” are not the only wasps to build nests from paper but are characterised by this and the unique umbrella shape to the nests they build. The nest are often built externally on houses and fencelines. It looks like a paper honey comb shaped umbrella - if you dare get that close!

The wasps are often seen hovering along fence lines and on wooden decks and bare wood outdoor furniture. Although there may be many wasps, the nest may not be here. The wasps may simply be gathering fibres from these places to build there nest. A simple solution to wasps hovering around bare wood to gather fibre - paint the wood. This may be all the barrier that is needed to deny the wasps the fibres they want.

The paper wasp is not known for its aggressive behaviour but will defend its nest and has the ability to sting repeatedly. If, for example,  it has built its nest near a path. It may end up attacking (defending its nest) when people walk along the path to close to its territory. This makes the wasp a potential hazard and from there the need for pest control rises.

Other problem wasps in New Zealand include the German wasp. September is still a little early for widespread problems here but further into spring should see the rise of this pest.