Wasps and wasp nests are a common sight during the summer and fall months, but have you ever seen a wasp in the winter? While many species of pests do die off or become inactive during the colder months, some species are able to survive and even continue their activity. Surprisingly, bees, and yellow jackets keep active during the colder season.
Do Wasps Die in Winter?
In most cases, most wasps die off during winter, with the exception of the females. Females become queens during spring and summer and spread out to find their own nests. Other species of wasps, such as hornets and mud daubers, will become inactive during the winter months. They will either die off or enter a state of diapause, in order to survive the cold temperatures. Over 130 mammals participate in diapause, which is a type of hibernation. To handle the frozen temperatures, they slow down their metabolism and stay still inside the nest.
It is important to note that wasp activity during the winter is highly dependent on the local climate. In areas with mild winters, wasp activity may be similar to what is seen during the summer and fall. In contrast, in areas with severe winters, wasp activity may be virtually non-existent. Another thing to note is that winters can be different from year to year. People who have lived in a specific location for a while will tell you how “unusually warm this winter is,” or about that blizzard of 98’ that took everyone by surprise. These factors will affect the activity of wasps.
Ground Wasps
These insects are known to build their wasp nests, you guessed it— underground, hence the name. Building their nests in this location provides them with some protection from the cold. They will also forage for food during the warmer parts of the day and return to their nests at night to keep warm. Ground wasps collect nectar, fruits, and other insects to eat. In areas with mild winters, yellow jackets may be active throughout the entire winter. In areas where winters are harsh and unforgiving, ground wasps do not come out to forage, and instead stock up during fall. Oftentimes, nests can reach up to a basketball size during winter, which means unwanted guests at summer parties.
Paper Wasps
Another species of wasp that is active during the winter is the paper wasp. These wasps are known to build their nests under eaves, inside sheds or barns, attics, and sometimes within the walls of a home. Much like the ground wasp, paper wasps gather food during fall and stock up within the nest. During summer and fall, the nest is built up to hold up to 75 adults within it. Which means a lot of foraging to feed the adults and the larva that will be hatching.
Wasp Activity in Winter
In conclusion, while wasp activity during the winter may not be as noticeable as it is during the warmer months, some species are still able to survive and even continue their activity. Though they may not seem like an issue during the winter, they can grow within or around your home and at best be a major annoyance, at worst lead to structural damage by spring and summer time. At Green Pest Management, with regular treatment we keep nests out and keep pests controlled. Give us a call at (302) 777-2390 for a quote on the best pest control near you, or to answer any questions, or concerns.
Wasps: Questions & Answers
How to get rid of wasps:
Getting rid of wasps starts with identifying the species and the location of their nesting site. Wasps are attracted to food sources, sugary drinks, trash bins, and sheltered areas around eaves or shrubs. Removing attractants, sealing entry points, and keeping garbage containers tightly closed can reduce activity around your home. For active infestations, treating the nest during late evening—when wasps are less active—can be more effective and safer. Protective clothing is essential because social wasps defend their colonies aggressively. In many cases, professional wasp control services are recommended to safely remove large or hard-to-reach nests.
How to get rid of a wasp nest?
Getting rid of a wasp nest depends on its size and location. Small, early-season nests may be treated with an approved wasp spray designed to reach the colony entrance from a safe distance. Always approach at dusk or nighttime, when most wasps are inside the nest. After treatment, wait until there is no visible activity before physically removing the nest. For nests inside wall voids, attics, or underground, professional pest control is often the safest option. Attempting removal without proper equipment can increase the risk of multiple stings.
Do wasps sting or bite?
Wasps primarily sting rather than bite. A wasp uses a stinger to inject venom as a defense mechanism when it feels threatened. Unlike honeybees, most wasp species can sting multiple times because their stingers are smooth and do not detach. Some wasps can use their mandibles (jaws) to bite prey when hunting insects, but when it comes to human encounters, the painful reaction people experience is from a sting—not a bite.
How long do wasps live?
The lifespan of a wasp varies by species and role within the colony. Worker wasps typically live only a few weeks during the active season. Queens, however, can survive for several months and are responsible for starting new colonies in spring. In social wasp colonies such as yellow jackets and paper wasps, most workers die off as temperatures drop in late fall. Only fertilized queens survive the winter to restart the life cycle the following year.
Do wasps die after they sting?
No, most wasps do not die after they sting. Unlike honeybees, whose barbed stingers detach and cause their death, wasps have smooth stingers that allow them to sting repeatedly. This ability makes wasps more defensive when protecting their nests. Because they can sting multiple times, wasp encounters can be more painful and potentially more dangerous, especially for individuals with allergies to insect venom.
Do wasps remember faces?
Some species of social wasps have demonstrated the ability to recognize individual faces within their colony. Research on certain paper wasps shows they can distinguish patterns on other wasps’ faces and remember them over time. This recognition helps maintain social hierarchy and colony organization. However, this facial recognition ability applies primarily to interactions with other wasps—not humans in everyday situations. While they may respond defensively if repeatedly disturbed, they are not actively tracking or remembering human faces in the way mammals do.
Do wasps die in the winter?
Yes, most wasps die during winter. In temperate climates, worker wasps and males typically perish once cold temperatures arrive. Their colonies do not survive the season as a whole. Only fertilized queen wasps overwinter by finding sheltered areas such as tree bark, soil, or attic spaces. These queens remain dormant until spring, when they emerge to build new nests and begin a new colony cycle.
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Paper wasps are generally not aggressive unless their nest is disturbed. They are social insects that build umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, porch ceilings, or other sheltered areas. When left undisturbed, they often ignore nearby human activity. However, if someone gets too close to the nest or attempts to remove it without proper precautions, paper wasps will defend their colony and may sting. Their defensive behavior is protective rather than predatory.
Sources:
“Wasps and Bees”, University of Minnesota Extension, Reviewed 2020
“Diapause”, Britannica