The term "hornet" is often used to refer to many of the wasps that build large papery nests. The most notable paper wasp is the baldfaced hornet. Baldfaced hornets may be best described as large, black and white, heavy-bodied, stinging wasps. They typically build exposed, mottled grey nests under roof overhangs, in attics, crawlspaces, wall voids, or under decks and porches. The nests are constructed of a paper-like martial formed from chewed wood. The nests may exceed a basketball in diameter. Because these are stinging insects, the risks are serious. Unlike most other allergies, insect allergy can cause a life-threatening disruption to breathing and circulatory systems called anaphylactic shock. For one person in 100, the sting of an insect can be fatal.