What builds nests here
Paper wasps build the open, umbrella-shaped nests you see under eaves and railings. Yellowjackets nest in the ground, in wall voids, and under decks, and turn aggressive in late summer around food and trash. Hornets build the large enclosed gray nests in trees and on structures. All three ramp up as summer goes on.
Why they matter
Unlike a bee, these wasps can sting repeatedly and will defend a nest that is disturbed. A nest tucked by a doorway, deck, grill, or where kids and pets play is the real concern, and knocking down a yellowjacket or hornet nest yourself is how people get stung.
How wasp control works
Treatment targets the nest directly and the entry point for hidden ground or wall nests, then clears the nest once activity stops. Treating eaves, overhangs, and common nesting spots earlier in the season heads off the bigger late-summer nests before they form.
Call to connect with a local East Lansing exterminator to handle a nest safely rather than risking the stings.