Wasp nests are made from a material called “paper,” which is actually a mixture of wood fibers and saliva produced by the wasps. To make the nest, the wasps chew up bits of wood and other plant materials, mixing them with their saliva to create a pulp-like substance. They then use their mandibles to shape and mold the pulp into the familiar hexagonal cells that make up the nest. The finished nest is a sturdy and durable structure that is able to withstand the elements and protect the wasps that live inside it.