I have been advised that the big wasps this time of year can be German wasps as opposed to the common wasps. I suspect they are both common but have different names.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I love wasps they usually just clean up around the entrances taking away dead, dying and weak bees and the thing I really liked about them once they were finished cleaning up it become more difficult for other pests to find the hives as it was spotless. I might have less problems as I don't inspect at all when they are active, I am very much hands off.