Stinging insects are a concern when spending time outside. There are different types of stinging insects and knowing which bug is bugging you will help to keep your yard pest-free. Mud daubers are a type of wasp that could end up in your yard. We’ve gathered information about mud daubers to help you identify and fight an infestation.
What Do Mud Daubers Look Like?
Mud daubers are members of the wasp family. The color of the mud dauber depends on the species. Some, like the black and yellow mud dauber, have yellow markings. There are mud daubers with green markings too. While the blue mud dauber has a metallic blue body, the organ pipe mud dauber has a shiny, black body. Their wings can be dark or clear. These wasps are long and grow between 1/2″-1″ in length. Compared to other wasps, they have a very thin body and waist.
What Does a Mud Dauber Nest Look Like?
Mud daubers get their name from the material they use to construct their nests—mud. The nests are made of several cylinder-shaped tubes. Like other wasp nests, they have cells that help protect the eggs, larvae, and pupae.
The shape of the nest depends on the species of mud dauber. Organ pipe mud daubers have nests with long tubes similar to those found on a pipe organ. Potter wasp nests look like a small pot.
Mud daubers build their nests in places that are sheltered. They can be found in sheds, attics, and on porch ceilings. Mud daubers are solitary insects that don’t live in a colony. Their nests are made by individual mud daubers and their offspring.
What Do Mud Daubers Eat?
Mud dauber larvae feed on insects that are brought to the nest. Adults feed on liquids such as plant nectar and honeydew.
When Are Mud Daubers Active?
The climate of a location determines when these wasps are most active. In places with cold winters and warm summers, mud daubers are active in late spring and summer. During the winter, pupae remain in a cocoon and emerge as adults in spring. Mud daubers can be active year-round if the location remains warm during winter months.
Where Can Mud Daubers Be Found?
Mud daubers are located throughout the United States. Certain species are more prominent in certain areas. While the black and yellow mud dauber is widespread, the organ pipe mud dauber is most often found in the eastern United States.
Are Mud Daubers Dangerous?
Mud daubers are not as aggressive as other wasps and aren’t quick to sting. They’re actually the wasp that stings least often. Though they aren’t known to be aggressive, you should still be cautious around them. If you get too close and they feel threatened, they will sting. Like other wasps, they can sting multiple times.
Their stings can hurt but aren’t usually dangerous. However, people can suffer from allergic reactions to their venom. If you are stung by a mud dauber and experience hives or have trouble breathing, immediately seek medical attention.
Despite their non-aggressive behavior, you don’t want them in your yard. These wasps have been known to build nests in holes they find in furniture or in electrical motors. Their nests can also attract other stinging insects that are more aggressive.
How to Identify a Mud Dauber Infestation
Spotting a mud dauber nest is the best way to identify an infestation. You’ll want to check for nests in sheltered locations like your porch and attic. When using outdoor equipment, it’s a good idea to make sure there aren’t any nests in the motor. If nests have holes in them, there is a good chance that it is inactive or old. When mud daubers leave the nest, they create holes in it.
How to Get Rid of Mud Daubers
Removing mud dauber nests can help to keep your yard free of these pests. If the nest is inactive, you can scrape the nest off the surface it is on or you can use water to remove it. The steady pressure of a garden hose will help to remove the nest. If the nest is active, you’ll want to carefully treat it with a plant-based insecticide spray to kill any mud daubers in the nest. Our Wasp & Hornet Killer is a foaming jet spray that kills wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets. It reaches up to 18 feet and will coat the nest.
Even though mud daubers aren’t aggressive, these pesky bugs can cause problems. Regularly checking for mud dauber nests can help you quickly eliminate and prevent bug problems. If you need help keeping your home bug-free, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.