Thank-you for your input, June. I tried to read up on paper wasp behaviour because I do have 3 kids and though we don't get too many visitors I prefer not to temp fate. If we can leave the wasps alone for the season without incident we will avoid using the front door. Most online sources, with the exception of pest control companies, seemed to imply that the wasps will defend and possibly sting if disturbed but that they generally aren't aggressive. Is this incorrect info? Also, if cold weather makes the wasps drowsy and insects do tend to get slower in activity and metabolism with colder weather, why do they become aggressive?
I know very little about wasp behaviour so my questions are just from a need to learn. Sometimes people think when I ask questions that I am trying to be contentious...I'm just very curious
Little update for those who might be in a similar predicament: After a bit of research, I found that it is not a good idea to use the term "paper wasp" or even the genus Polistes without including the species name. Many people include yellow jackets and white/bald faced hornets in this group. If I had a bald faced hornet nest on my door the nest would be gone in an instant! Don't mind them high up in trees but those things will hunt you down! There is apparently, even within the same genus, a huge difference in temperament among the Polistes sp. The species we have on the front door is Polistes exclamans. According to most sources this species is "gentle and docile" and unaggressive but will defend if threatened. So, we have chosen to barricade the path to the front door and reroute any traffic away from that area! I learned also the these wasps eat ticks...good enough reason in my book to leave it alone!
