German Yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)

Habits:

German Yellowjackets will scavenge for protein and are attracted to sugary foods, and may be pests around trash cans and picnics. Colonies will last for one year.

Nests:

German Yellowjacket nests are primarily found in structures such as retaining walls and building voids, but may be subterranean as well.

Nature toward humans:

German Yellowjackets are "picnic pests" and may be a hazard if agitated while scavenging. They are also a stinging hazard if the nest is disturbed. Since they are more likely to be found near human activity, German Yellowjackets present more of a problem than some other species.

Other Yellowjacket species

Paper Wasps

Hornets