Three Most Common Types of Wasps in Colorado
Here in Colorado, the three most common types of wasps are the western yellow jacket, the western paper wasp, and the baldfaced hornet. Continue scrolling to learn more about these stinging insects.
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Western Yellow Jackets
When trying to identify western yellow jackets, look for hairless stinging insects that have black and yellow or black and white markings and very small waists.
Yellow jackets tend to be ground-nesters and so you’ll often find yellow jacket nests in ground holes, around railroad ties, and under buildings.
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Paper Wasps
In Colorado, both western and eastern paper wasps are plentiful and are similar in appearance to yellow jackets but are mostly brown with some yellow. The bands of coloring on their bodies varies by species but may include bolder colors.
Where paper wasps nest also varies by the species with western paper wasps preferring overhangs, trees, and other suspended, sheltered areas.
Eastern paper wasps, on the other hand, often build their nests inside small cavities on buildings, inside pipes and gutters, and in manmade items such as grills.
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Baldfaced Hornets
Not a hornet at all, baldfaced hornets are wasps that easily distinguished by the mostly black bodies and white-patterned faces.
Baldfaced hornets tend to build their large nests under overhangs, on eaves, in trees, and inside bushes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
