Have you noticed a cement-looking blob on your porch wall or ceiling? Odds are, it’s a mud dauber nest, created by a mud wasp. Although the term “wasp” tends to make us nervous, mud wasps are a calmer species of wasp and a lot less aggressive. Fortunately, they are easily distinguishable from their cousins, the hornet and yellowjackets. Typically, mud daubers, or mud wasps, are mostly black, sometimes some with yellow markings, but with a noticeably thin waist between the thorax and abdomen.
Mud Daubers
Each nest only houses one wasp larvae, unlike the hornets or yellowjackets who have thousands of members per nest.
The mud wasp likes to be close to humans, probably to keep their young away from other predators that may not want to be so close to us. But their muddy nests can typically be seen on and around homes, barns and even in trees. They collect mud from local ponds and other small bodies of water and form their nests for their future brood. According to IFAS, female mud wasps will sting and paralyze a small spider, lay an egg on them and seal them up in their muddy tomb to provide a food source for their future emerging young, which will hatch within a few days. Talk about creepy mummy action! If you see an entry hole in the nest, that means the young has emerged and the cycle will continue. Under the right conditions, a nest can last years to decades! Other insects will continue to use an abandoned nest, as well. Although they feed their young other parasites, the adults survive on nectar from flowering plants nearby.
Danger to humans
They can sting you if they feel threatened or if you interfere with their nests when they’re around, but the sting is not nearly as notorious as what you might encounter with a paper wasp or hornet. You should always consider having them removed if you or someone in your household has an allergy to stings, as this can be life threatening. However, if you don’t mind sharing some space, mud wasps are somewhat beneficial as nature’s pest control technicians, especially if you are particularly not too fond of spiders.
Let us help!
Although these flying pests can be distinguishable, there might be other bugs in the wasp family hanging around your home that we can help with. As part of our ongoing services, we will always keep your eaves swept clear of any troublesome pests. As always, if you ever choose to utilize a pro to keep all members of the wasp family and other insects out of your home, we hope you will have us out to get it done right.
LydyBug Pest Control offers flying insect removal and treatment in Orlando and can help you take care of any problems. Our experts are fully trained and certified in pest control, so you can be sure they will safely and effectively take care of the problem. Contact us for assistance with wasps today!
