Alien Invaders in California - European Paper Wasps

The European Paper Wasp is an invasive species that is replacing the American version of the paper wasp. You can tell the difference by the orange colored antennae with the slightly curled tip.

While they are scary, and can sting, they are also a beneficial insect, in that they eat other insects, like aphids, and caterpillars. But they do eat any caterpillar, not just the ones we would like to be rid of.

If I need to relocate the nest to the canyon, I will wait until night when the cool air, and the dark has them at their slowest.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Wasp
• Insect
• sting
• stinger
• invader
• invasive
• species
• Fauna
• macro
• close
• up
• closeup

[1laughinggravy]

I have two separate nests under the eaves of my house. Right now, any army of sugar ants is invading the wasps' nests, and they (ants) are winning. The wasps are really agitated, and I'm not sure how to proceed (short of calling an exterminator).

[z1zaz]

They are very easy to 'move-on'.

Just point up an electric fan heater beneath their nest and leave it running overnight.

No stings - no risk - just an empty nest to clear away in the morning.