Mud Daubers

What do mud daubers look like?

Of all the stinging insects, mud daubers are the ones that look the most fierce and scary. Ironically enough, these are also the stinging insects that you should be the least worried about in regards to their stings.

These pests are usually black with yellow markings and grow anywhere from half an inch to an inch in length. Their body shape gives them a frightening appearance. A thin, needle-like segment separates their thorax from their abdomen, which tends to accentuate their pointed stinger.

What does a mud dauber nest look like, and where can they be found?

As their name indicates, mud daubers build their nests out of mud. These nests are constructed by building a bunch of tube-like structures side by side. They are usually built in sheltered locations, including under eaves, inside garages, and on the underside of porch ceilings.

Are mud daubers dangerous?

Although they look scary, mud daubers are one of the least aggressive types of wasps. In fact, it’s very rare for these wasps to sting at all. In most circumstances, the only time a mud dauber will sting someone is if they feel threatened. Remaining calm if there is a mud dauber buzzing around you will make it highly unlikely that you’ll be stung by one of these wasps.

Many stinging insects become aggressive when people get too close to their nests, but this isn’t an issue with mud daubers. These pests don’t even defend their nests, so you won’t have to worry about encountering them if you find their mud tubes around your house. However, sometimes other stinging pests will take over an abandoned nest, so it’s wise to avoid contact with a mud dauber nest if you find one.

Are mud daubers social wasps?

Mud daubers are solitary insects, not social ones, which is one reason they are not aggressive nest defenders. They do not live in colonies or share responsibility for taking care of the younger members of the colony.

Instead, when a female mud dauber builds a nest, it deposits one egg in each tube it creates, along with a spider that it paralyzes to be a food source for the newly hatched larvae. At this point, the adult mud dauber does not have to do anything further to care for her young. The larvae will develop into pupae in about three weeks. At that point, the pupae spin cocoons where they overwinter until the next spring when they become adults and start the process over.

What attracts mud daubers?

Mud daubers are attracted to food and water sources, as well as shelter and bright colors. They eat nectar, fruit, and other sweet items, as well as spiders, aphids, and other small pests. They also need water to survive, so they’ll go to areas with a steady water supply. 

Female mud daubers who are ready to build nests will look for areas that provide the shelter they need to create their nests in a safe place. 

Mud daubers are also attracted to bright colors. They are drawn to colorful flowers, clothing, and other bright items.

How can I get rid of mud daubers?

If you need help eliminating mud daubers or other stinging insects on your property, call Marathon Pest Control. Our local pest control specialists have the experience and expertise to handle mud daubers. 

How can I prevent mud daubers?

Although mud daubers are not usually dangerous, you may not want them on your property, especially if they build their nests on your property. Once a mud dauber nest is abandoned, it is often taken over by other stinging insects that are more aggressive and, therefore more dangerous. Also, despite them not being aggressive, mud daubers still have the ability to sting. For these two reasons, keeping mud daubers away from your property is a smart choice. Try these prevention tips to keep mud daubers off your property in The Woodlands:

• Seal cracks, gaps, and openings around your foundation, siding, windows, and doors to prevent mud daubers from entering and building their nests in or around your house.
• Reduce the spider population on your property with routine pest control to limit their larval food source.
• Eliminate or move flowering plants away from the perimeter of your home.
• Remove food sources that might attract mud daubers, such as sugary drinks and open garbage bins.
• Eliminate areas of standing water.

If you find mud dauber nests on your property, it’s wise to contact the professionals at Marathon Pest Control to remove them. Although you may be tempted to remove the nest on your own, especially if you know that mud daubers don’t defend their nests, there is a chance that other, more dangerous pests have moved into the nest. With Marathon Pest Control, you can be certain that the nests will be removed safely.