Nothing ruins a backyard barbecue or patio hangout like wasps buzzing around. These territorial, stinging insects are more than just a nuisance — they’re a safety hazard, especially for families with children, pets, or allergy concerns.

In Middle Tennessee, wasp activity ramps up as temperatures rise, and nests can pop up in eaves, decks, attics, and playground equipment before you even notice.

Active Seasons

Wasps are most active from late spring through early fall, with peak aggression and nest size in August and September. Colonies die off in winter, but new queens overwinter in protected areas — often inside your home — to start the cycle again in spring.

Lifespan

• Worker wasps live 12–22 days

• Queens live up to a year, emerging in spring to build new nests

• Colonies can grow to hundreds or even thousands of wasps in a single season

Reproduction Rate

A single queen can lay hundreds of eggs, with workers building and defending the nest as the colony expands. The bigger the nest, the more aggressive they become.

How to Identify

Common Middle Tennessee species:

• Paper wasps: Long legs, slender bodies, reddish or dark brown with yellow stripes. Nests look like open honeycombs attached to eaves or decks.

• Yellowjackets: Stocky, bright yellow-and-black. Nests are usually hidden — underground, inside walls, or in crawlspaces. Very aggressive.

• Hornets: A type of large wasp, often build basketball-sized hanging nests in trees or under soffits.

Warning signs:

• Wasps hovering near gutters, grills, sheds, or wood piles

• Visible nests under eaves, behind shutters, or on playsets

• Increased aggression late in summer when food sources are low

Health Concerns

• Wasps can sting multiple times, and their venom can trigger:

  • Severe pain and swelling

  • Allergic reactions

  • Life-threatening anaphylaxis in some individuals

• Their presence often limits use of outdoor areas and poses risks to children, pets, and guests

Property Concerns

• Nests in walls, attics, and vents can lead to:

  • Chewed insulation

  • Structural damage from moisture or nest weight

  • Unwanted queen wasps overwintering inside your home

• Some species return to the same location year after year if not properly treated

Why You Need Perimeter Pest

Don’t risk climbing a ladder with a can of spray. Wasps are territorial and will attack in swarms when threatened — and DIY treatments often miss hidden nests or leave queens behind.

Perimeter Pest offers safe, professional wasp removal and prevention:

• Fast, expert identification and nest removal
• Exterior treatments to stop rebuilding
• Targeted entry-point sealing and prevention
• Seasonal protection plans to keep nests from returning

Don’t let wasps own your outdoor space. Call Perimeter Pest — Middle Tennessee’s top choice for wasp control and prevention.