Texas is home to a diverse array of wasps and hornets, many of which homeowners encounter around their properties. While these insects are often feared, most species are actually beneficial — they prey on garden pests and help control insect populations. However, knowing which species you're dealing with is important for safety and for determining the right course of action.

Understanding the difference between wasps, hornets, and honey bees is the first step. Wasps have brighter coloration and patterns than bees. Wasps are hairless, whereas bees are fuzzy. Wasps can sting repeatedly, while bees can only sting once. Wasps fall into two broad categories: eusocial species that live in colonies with cooperative brood care and a division of labor, and solitary species that nest and hunt alone.

Yellow Jacket (Vespula squamosa)

Yellow jackets are among the most commonly encountered — and most feared — wasps in Texas. Measuring approximately half an inch long, they are smaller than many other wasp species but make up for it with aggressive, highly territorial behavior and potent venom.

These eusocial wasps build paper-like nests in the ground, inside wall voids, attics, and other enclosed spaces. Their colonies can grow to contain thousands of workers by late summer. Yellow jackets are scavengers attracted to sugary foods and proteins, which is why they frequently crash outdoor picnics and barbecues.

Unlike honey bees, yellow jackets can sting repeatedly without dying. They are especially aggressive when their nest is disturbed. If you discover a yellow jacket nest on your property, do not attempt to remove it yourself — professional removal is strongly recommended.

Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)

The cicada killer is one of the largest wasps you'll encounter in Texas, reaching up to 1½ inches in length. With rusty red heads, yellow-black banded abdomens, and amber-tinted wings, they are an imposing sight. Despite their intimidating size, cicada killers are solitary wasps and are generally docile toward humans.

Females dig burrows in sandy or loose soil, often in lawns, gardens, and along sidewalks. They hunt cicadas, paralyzing them with a sting and dragging them into the burrow to serve as food for their larvae. Males are territorial and may hover aggressively near people, but they cannot sting.

While cicada killers rarely pose a danger to humans, their burrowing activity can damage lawns. If their presence becomes a nuisance, improving soil compaction and increasing ground cover can discourage them from nesting.

Mud Dauber (Sceliphron caementarium)

Mud daubers are solitary wasps easily identified by their long, thin "thread waist" connecting thorax to abdomen. They construct distinctive tube-shaped nests from mud, typically attached to walls, eaves, attic rafters, and other sheltered surfaces.

These wasps are among the least aggressive species you'll encounter. They rarely sting humans, even when handled. Mud daubers prey primarily on spiders, which they paralyze and seal inside their mud cells as food for developing larvae.

While mud dauber nests are unsightly, the wasps themselves are beneficial pest controllers. Old nests can be safely scraped off surfaces once the wasps have emerged. If active nests are in high-traffic areas, a professional can relocate or remove them safely.

Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula)

Paper wasps are among the most prevalent wasp species in Texas, measuring about an inch long with slender bodies and long legs that dangle visibly during flight. They range in color from reddish-brown to dark brown with yellow markings.

These eusocial wasps build distinctive open, umbrella-shaped nests made of chewed wood fiber mixed with saliva. Nests are commonly found under eaves, porch ceilings, deck railings, and inside outdoor furniture. A single nest may house 20–75 workers.

Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will sting if their nest is threatened. Their sting is painful and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If a nest is located near doorways or high-traffic areas, professional removal is advisable.

Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)

Despite their name, bald-faced hornets are actually a type of yellowjacket wasp, not a true hornet. They are distinguished by their black bodies with white facial markings and white-patterned abdomens. They are larger than most yellowjackets, measuring about ¾ inch long.

Bald-faced hornets build large, enclosed paper nests — sometimes as big as a basketball — typically suspended from tree branches, shrubs, or building overhangs. These nests can house 400–700 workers by late summer.

These wasps are highly defensive of their nest and will attack in numbers if they sense a threat. They can sting repeatedly and may even spray venom into the eyes of perceived threats. Never attempt to remove a bald-faced hornet nest yourself — always call a professional.

Mexican Honey Wasp (Brachygastra mellifica)

The Mexican honey wasp is a fascinating neotropical species found in South and Central Texas. As their name suggests, these wasps actually produce and store honey — one of the few wasp species in the world to do so. Their honey has been harvested by indigenous peoples for centuries.

Mexican honey wasps are small, dark-bodied insects that build round, paper nests in trees and shrubs. They are generally considered beneficial due to their pollination activity and honey production. However, females will sting when their nest is disturbed.

Because they are often mistaken for honey bees, it's important to get a proper identification before attempting any removal. If you're unsure whether you're dealing with wasps or honey bees, contact Honey Bee Rescue — we can identify the species and recommend the right approach for safe removal or relocation.