When A Hornet Queen And Wasp Queen Build Too Close…

A Royal Rumble in Your Rafters: When a Hornet Queen and Wasp Queen Build Too Close

The hum of summer is a comforting sound—the buzz of bees, the chirp of crickets, the gentle rustle of leaves. But sometimes, an unseen drama is unfolding right above your head, a high-stakes turf war between two of nature’s most formidable architects: a hornet queen and a wasp queen.

Imagine two ambitious founders, both looking to build an empire from scratch. They survey the landscape, seeking the perfect headquarters. They both spot it: a sheltered corner under your eaves, the cozy void in a shed wall, or a protected spot in the attic. The problem? They’ve chosen properties right next door to each other.

What happens next is a fascinating, and for homeowners, a potentially dangerous, clash of titans.

The Race to Establish a Kingdom

In early spring, after surviving a long winter alone, newly emerged queens are on a singular mission: build a dynasty. Whether it’s a paper wasp queen, a yellow jacket queen, or a formidable hornet queen, her process is the same.

Scouting the Location: She seeks a spot that is sheltered from rain, wind, and predators. This is why our homes—with their overhangs, attics, and voids—are prime real estate.
The Founding Nest: She begins by building a small, golf-ball-sized nest from chewed wood pulp and saliva. It’s a lonely, vulnerable time.
The First Brood: She lays her first clutch of eggs, which will hatch into sterile female workers. She single-handedly forages, feeds the larvae, and defends the nest until her daughters are ready to take over.

In the beginning, with only one queen in each nest, they