Wasps Love Electrical panels.

The Electrical main service panel for your home is often located outside. Here in Texas it is a favorite home for the Red Paper Wasp and Mud Dauber Wasps. When Inspecting the homes Electrical system as a Home Inspector I usually open these panels up to inspect the condition of breakers and wires. I am looking for safety issues and potential problems like water intrusion. First of all approaching these panels you have to practice safety for yourself, especially ensuring that the panel itself is not energized, and that you are aware and protected as you open the cover.

This panel had a family of red wasps that were not happy being disturbed. There actually was a Dauber nest connecting the incoming service wires. The service panel needs to be cleaned-up for several obvious reasons. If you have an older panel especially, it would be a good Idea to have it inspected by a home inspector. An electrician can correct any issues and also offer you an update to your panel by putting in new breakers, renewing connections and perhaps adding a surge protector.