W15 · Flying Insect
Paper Wasp
Polistes humilis
Native Australian wasp that builds open umbrella-shaped nests. Far less aggressive than European wasps — leave alone if possible.
- Size
- 10–15 mm
- Habitat
- Eaves, pergolas, shrubs, letterboxes
- Activity
- Spring to autumn
Safety Warning
Paper wasps are native and beneficial. Only treat nests that genuinely threaten safety — children, high-traffic doorways, or allergy sufferers.
Overview
Paper wasps are native and beneficial — they hunt caterpillars and other garden pests. They build small open nests from chewed wood pulp, often under eaves or in shrubs. Unlike European wasps, they are not naturally aggressive and only sting if the nest is directly threatened. They abandon the nest in winter.
How to identify
- Long slender body with a narrow waist
- Reddish-brown or yellow-and-black banded
- Open umbrella-shaped nest with visible hexagonal cells
- Nests hang from a single stalk under eaves or in vegetation
General guidance only. Information on Home Pest Defence is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. For termites, venomous spider bites, wasp nests in walls, or protected wildlife, contact a licensed pest controller, your GP, or the relevant state wildlife authority. In emergencies call 000; for poisoning call 13 11 26.