Reply #7: hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like a paper wasp to me.... [View All]

It's NOT a bee. Bees are hairy. Yellow jacket's nest in the ground though, so IF you're seeing this wasp coming and going from a hanging paper nest, then it's probably Polistes, the paper wasp. I could tell you if the resolution of the original full sized pic is sharp. BTW, your description of the "paper mache" type nest sounds like Polistes as well. Colonial bees do not make paper nests. I think your extension agent over extended a bit on that one.

on edit-- just reread your OP-- if this is coming from under the eaves, it's not a yellow jacket. There are still several possibilities, but I'd be willing to bet it's a common paper wasp. These are generally not aggressive unless you disturb the nest, so unless they are getting into the house, or the nest is so large they are becoming a general nuisance, there's no need to worry about them.