Mud Daubers

What do mud daubers look like?

Mud daubers have the features of a wasp: a sleek, hairless body and a pointed abdomen where the stinger resides. You may tell these wasps from the others by looking at the waist. Mud daubers have long, thin waists that look like thin threads between the thoraxes and abdomens.

Mud daubers in Phoenix are about ½ to 1 inch long and come in various colors. They are usually black, metallic blue, metallic green, or a mix. Some are black with yellow banding. 

What do mud daubers eat?

Mud daubers are beneficial insects because they hunt spiders and other pests. They use their venom to paralyze their prey. Paralyzation serves two important purposes: It immobilizes the spider to prevent escape and keeps it in a state of suspension so that it is preserved as a fresh food source for the mud dauber’s offspring.

Spiders aren’t only for the larvae of mud daubers; adult mud daubers eat them too. They eat a variety of insects for protein. They also need carbohydrates, which they can get from sources such as:

• Flower nectar
• Honeydew
• Plant sap
• Sugary liquids

Do mud daubers sting?

Yes, mud daubers do sting people and pets. But they aren’t aggressive insects like paper wasps and yellow jackets. Mud daubers have different instincts than social wasps.

Are mud daubers solitary pests?

If you know there are social and solitary wasps, you may know the answer to this question. The answer is yes. Mud daubers are solitary, not social wasps like paper wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets.

• Mud dauber females work alone to build their nests and supply them with spiders for their larvae to eat.
• Mud daubers do not have a nest-protection instinct. They will only sting when threatened directly. You don’t have to worry about walking past their nests.
• Mud daubers do not create colonies.
• Mud daubers do not gather into a swarm and attack.
• Mud daubers do not protect food sources. You don’t have to worry when you find one sitting on a flower.

Mud daubers sting in self-defense most of the time. A little situational awareness can go a long way toward preventing stings from these insects.

Where do mud daubers build nests?

Mud daubers prefer to build their nests in areas protected from the sun and rain. Here are a few common nesting sites:

• Eaves and overhangs
• Garage walls or ceilings
• Sheds or other outdoor structures
• The undersides of porches or decks
• Inside attics or utility rooms

Look for nests consisting of mud tubes set next to each other. These can look like flutes or tiny ceramic jars. In each tube, a single larva and its food are present.

What are the signs of a mud dauber infestation?

• Mud tubes or nests
  Mud daubers build small, tube-like nests of mud. These nests often appear on walls, ceilings, eaves, attics, garages, sheds, or porches. They may look like organ pipes or a collection of mud cylinders stacked together. 
• Increased wasp activity
  Seeing solitary wasps flying near eaves, windows, or garages is a common sign. Mud daubers are often spotted carrying balls of mud back to their nests.
• Abandoned nests
  Old, empty mud dauber nests may still be attached to walls or ceilings. If not removed, they can serve as hiding spots for other pests.
• Spider remains
  Mud daubers feed primarily on spiders, which they paralyze and store in their nests. Finding spider carcasses near mud nests can signify mud dauber activity.
• Buzzing sounds
  Though mud daubers are quieter than other wasps, you may occasionally hear a faint buzzing if they are actively working on a nest.

What attracts mud daubers to my property?

Here are a few ways your property might invite wasp problems:

• Puddles provide water for wasps to drink.
• Damp ground can lead to muddy soil, which mud daubers use for building their nests.
• Plentiful spiders will draw mud daubers as they provide a food source for offspring.
• Lots of vegetation or flowering plants can provide honeydew, nectar, and plant sap.
• Lots of overhangs provide sheltered nesting sites.

If these conditions are present in your yard, be on the lookout for wasp activity.

How do I get rid of mud daubers?

If you’ve detected mud dauber or other stinging insects on your property, contact Termio Pest Control for effective home pest control services. Serving Tempe and the Phoenix area, our locally owned and operated pest control company is ready to help you eliminate and prevent pests all year. 

How can I prevent mud daubers from nesting near my home?

Here are a few suggestions to deter mud daubers: 

• Remove spider webs and crush egg sacs to reduce spider populations.
• Keep vegetation dry and plants healthy to discourage aphids, which produce honeydew for wasps and other pests.
• Reduce exterior lighting to reduce overall insect populations.
• Address weeds to mitigate potential sources of nectar.
• Address damaged sprinklers, poor irrigation, and other moisture problems to reduce puddles and muddy conditions.