Bug FAQSaxon Wasp
Dolichovespula saxonica · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Vespidae
Source: Wikipedia
The Saxon queen is the largest, reaching up to 19 mm, while workers are smaller at 11 to 15 mm. They build nests above ground in trees, bushes, or sometimes in buildings, and their presence near homes can be a nuisance.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
They have the typical black and yellow striped pattern of yellowjackets.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Queens measure 15 to 19 mm, males 13 to 15 mm, and workers 11 to 15 mm in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Their nests often appear in urban areas and close to homes, causing disturbance to people.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
When threatened, they release an alarm pheromone that draws other wasps and makes them more aggressive. Stings are not especially painful compared with German or Common wasps, and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
Human interventions are commonly used to remove Saxon wasp nests. They rely heavily on chemical signals for alarm calls, fertility cues, and trail marking.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Originally from continental Europe, they have spread to Britain, mainly in the south and east, reaching as far north as East Lothian, Scotland.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
They look similar to other yellowjackets with black and yellow stripes.
Source: Wikipedia
Questions people ask
Do Saxon wasps sting people?
Yes, they can sting, but the sting is usually only mildly painful and rarely causes an allergic reaction.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I get rid of a Saxon wasp nest?
Professional removal or safe chemical treatments are commonly used to eliminate their nests.
Source: Wikipedia
Where do Saxon wasps build their nests?
They typically build nests above ground in trees, bushes, or sometimes inside buildings.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Vespidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolichovespula_saxonica
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.