The species is considered a pest in most areas outside its native range, although its long residency in North America means it is not treated with any level of urgency there, unlike in areas such as South America, where the introduction is more recent and the impacts more dramatic.

Along with the closely related common wasp and two species of Polistes, the German wasp is considered a pest in New Zealand.
It was probably introduced in the late 19th century, but did not appear in large numbers until around 1940.
Wasp numbers reach their greatest densities in beech forest of the South Island, due to the abundant honeydew produced by the beech-scale insect there.
It has a serious effect on forest ecology, as less honeydew remains available for native birds.
However, German wasps were quickly succeeded in much of the South Island and its beech forests by the common wasp introduced in the 1970s.
The species is considered a pest in most areas outside its native range, although its long residency in North America means it is not treated with any level of urgency there, unlike in areas such as South America, where the introduction is more recent and the impacts more dramatic.
Along with the closely related common wasp and two species of Polistes, the German wasp is considered a pest in New Zealand. It was probably introduced in the late 19th century, but did not appear in large numbers until around 1940. Wasp numbers reach their greatest densities in beech forest of the South Island, due to the abundant honeydew produced by the beech-scale insect there. It has a serious effect on forest ecology, as less honeydew remains available for native birds. However, German wasps were quickly succeeded in much of the South Island and its beech forests by the common wasp introduced in the 1970s.
Vespula germanica