Hello Wendy,

Their numbers suggest a social wasp (given the size, likely a hornet in that case), but it's hard to tell. You can use the information in the linked page to see if any look like a match for the wasps listed. Sometimes several individuals of solitary wasps congregate in a certain area due to appealing conditions for nesting. Mud daubers are one example. We can't tell how likely they are to sting until we can figure out what kind of bee or wasp they are. Social wasps do sting to defend their shared nest, but only when they feel it is under threat. Granted, if you access the shed often, that would probably agitate them. Solitary wasps are not inclined to sting, but might fly closer to investigate you if disturbed.

If hornets or another social wasp have built a nest in that location, there is no easy way to relocate them. Some pest control professionals experienced in wasp removal will suck up the workers with a shop vac and then dispose of the nest, while wearing a "bee suit" for protection against stings, but this is not something we would advocate someone trying on their own. There are pesticide sprays specifically formulated for treating wasp nests (the ingredients used are not wasp-specific, but they come in pressurized cans, so sprays can aim far to keep the applicator further out of harm's way). While a pesticide may not be the ideal solution, it is an option. If used, follow all product label directions carefully, and it might take several days or more for all activity in or around the nest to cease.

If you have any closer photos of the insects, we're happy to take a look to try to ID them. While this platform can't accept video files, if you upload it to another site and then share a link with us, we should be able to view it. (If the video doesn't show more detail, though, we won't necessarily be able to ID them at this distance.)

Miri