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Paper wasp — identification photo
Paper wasp · Polistes spp.
Stinging InsectsNH resident

Paper Wasp — Quick ID for New Hampshire Homeowners

Also called Umbrella wasp

Paper wasps are slim, long-legged wasps that build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves and railings. New Hampshire has two common kinds — the native northern paper wasp and the invasive European paper wasp (the one with orange antennae). This is the quick ID; for sting facts, nests, and removal, see the full guide.

At a glance
Size
15–21 mm
slim, narrow waist
Nest
Open umbrella comb
no outer shell
In flight
Legs dangle
key vs yellowjacket
NH species
2 common
native + invasive European
The short of it

Is it a paper wasp?

Paper wasps are among the most common stinging insects New Hampshire homeowners find around the house. You'll usually meet them around an open, honeycomb-style nest hanging from a single stalk under an eave, soffit, deck rail, or grill.

This page is a fast identifier. For the full picture — native vs. invasive European paper wasps, sting pain, nest removal, and when to call a pro — read the complete guide in the Wasp Species hub linked above.

Identify it

Quick paper wasp ID

A few features tell a paper wasp apart from the yellowjackets and hornets it's often confused with.

Species profile

Paper wasp

Scientific name
Polistes spp. (P. fuscatus, P. dominula)
Family
Vespidae
Size
15–21 mm
Coloration
Slender brown-to-black body with yellow markings; European paper wasp has orange/reddish antennae
Habitat
Eaves, soffits, deck railings, grills, mailboxes, playsets
Active season
Late spring to first hard frost
Diet
Caterpillars and soft-bodied insects (a beneficial predator)
Lifespan
Workers weeks; only mated queens overwinter

Common across New Hampshire; both native northern and invasive European paper wasps occur here.

The tells — key ID features

  • Slim body with a pinched, narrow waist — daintier than a chunky yellowjacket.
  • Long legs that dangle visibly below the body in flight.
  • Open, downward-facing umbrella nest of hexagonal cells on a single stalk — no papery outer envelope.
  • Orange/reddish antennae point to the invasive European paper wasp.
Is it actually this? — the confusion species

Yellowjacket

How to tell — Stockier, legs tucked in flight, and builds a concealed or enclosed nest — see the yellowjackets hub.

Bald-faced hornet

How to tell — Larger, black-and-white, builds a big enclosed gray 'football' nest.

What you'll notice

Signs of a problem

The fastest confirmation is the nest.

Open honeycomb nest hanging from a single stalk under an eave or rail

What it means — Classic paper wasp nest — open cells, no outer shell.

Slim wasps with dangling legs patrolling near a doorway or deck

What it means — Paper wasps defending a nearby umbrella nest.

When it's past DIY

Paper wasp removal in New Hampshire

A paper wasp nest over a doorway, deck, or play area is worth removing professionally — paper wasps sting defensively and can sting repeatedly. The full guide covers sting facts and safe removal.

Signals it's past DIY

When to call a pro

  • A nest is over a doorway, deck, grill, or play area.
  • Anyone in the home has a known stinging-insect allergy.
  • The nest is large or in a hard-to-reach spot.

Not sure it's a paper wasp?

A licensed NH technician can confirm the species and tell you honestly whether it's a DIY fix or a job for a pro — free inspection, same-day service across Southern New Hampshire.

Get a Free Inspection(603) 785-0118
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Sources(2)
  1. [1]
    Anchor Pest — Paper Wasp Guide (Wasp Species hub)

    full identification, sting, and removal detail

    industryverified 2026-06-30
  2. [2]
    Penn State Extension — European Paper Wasp

    native vs invasive ID, orange antennae

    extensionverified 2026-06-30

Written & reviewed by

Verified

Daniel Brady

NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)

Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.

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Last updated 2026-06-30

New Hampshire pest control

Dealing with paper wasps in your home?

Anchor Pest Services identifies and handles paper wasp problems across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.

Get a Free Inspection(603) 785-0118
  • NH-licensed applicators (#782664)
  • Same-day service · free inspection
  • Family-owned since 2017
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