08/14/2026
🚧 🐝 What's the buzz? It's the season of flying—sometimes stinging—things! TLDR: Do not approach wasp nests! If you see one that is unmarked, please DM or email The Woodlands.
It's that time of year when you start to see wasps everywhere. Wasps are a large group of insects, and they aren't all equally scary. The second image shows the many wasps you might encounter in our area (those with grey Xs are not found in SE Pennsylvania).
Social wasps that create their nests where people might run into them (hornets sometimes build nests on low tree branches, yellow jackets typically nest in the ground) are the most likely to sting if bothered. Solitary wasps, many of which burrow into the ground, are very UNLIKELY to sting, although their presence can be unnerving. Cicada Killer Wasps and Blue-Winged Wasps are often seen hovering in large numbers over sunny, dry patches of ground. If you chased one and tried to pinch it, it would probably sting you. So don't do that! Fun fact about the Blue-winged wasp: the female wasps burrow into the soil and attach an egg to a grub, often Japanese Beetles (!), or June Bugs. The wasp larvae will then consume the grub. Yay!
If you see brightly colored signs, caution tape, or flags around the site, please keep your distance—it might be indicating an active nest! If you come across an unmarked wasp nest, please do not approach! Take a photo and/or write a detailed description of the location and email [email protected].
