Why Do Wasps Make Paper Nests?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do wasps make paper nests?

The Big Idea

Wasps make paper nests because paper is light, strong, and made from things they find! They make the paper themselves. Wasps were making paper long before people were.

Chew Wood

Step one: collect fibers. Paper wasps scrape tiny bits of wood and plant fibers. They chew them up and mix them with saliva, which is spit, to make a paste.

Spread Thin

Step two: spread the paste. The wasp spreads the paste into thin layers with its jaws and legs. When it dries, it turns into paper.

Make Cells

Step three: build the nest. The paper is shaped into many six-sided cells. Each cell is a little room where a young wasp grows up, safe and snug, until it is ready to fly.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The wasp starts with fibers from old wood, like a fence post. It mixes them with spit to make a paste. The paste dries into thin, strong paper. Then it builds cells with six sides.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Wasp paper is gray or brown, like real paper. A scientist long ago noticed wasp paper and wondered if people could make paper from wood, too. Wasps defend their nests. So stay far away from real nests, and tell a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Tear scrap paper into tiny bits and soak them in water. Mash them into a pulp. Spread the pulp thin on a screen or tray, and let it dry. You made recycled paper, just like a wasp does! Stay away from real nests.

Outro

Wasps are paper makers, and their nests are tiny works of art. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!