Mud Dauber Control: How to Get Rid of Mud Daubers

This article is a general mud dauber control guide. Follow the recommended steps and products listed in this DIY guide, and we guarantee 100% control of mud daubers and their nests within your homes yard.

Just as their name implies, mud daubers are solitary wasps that construct their nests from mud. Though there are many species of this pests they are commonly found throughout the northern half of the United States. While mud daubers, otherwise known as mud wasps or potter wasps, are not considered as aggressive as other stinging insects, caution should still be taken as they can still sting when they feel provoked.

Unlike other wasp species, the mud dauber does not rely on colonies for survival, but can attract other types of wasps when they abandon their nests. Beside the increase of other wasps, their mud nests can be very unsightly on the side of homes and other sheltered areas. Though uncommon, they may defend their home with multiple stings like other wasp species.

Mud daubers fall under the category of beneficial insects as they pollinate flowers and hunt other insects like black widows. However, for homeowners allergic to the stings and with nests creating an unattractive appearance on the exterior of your home the problems far outweigh the benefits. Follow along with the recommended steps and products to learn more about this wasp and how to completely get rid of them from your property.

Identification

Before proceeding with treatment, you will need to be certain the wasp invading your yard is a mud dauber. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong insecticides, which can be a waste of your time and finances. Here are some characteristics to aid you with proper identification:

• Mud daubers are commonly mistaken for paper wasps due to similar body shapes and their tendency to have legs hang in flight. Like paper wasps, mud daubers have two body sections. However, the biggest difference between them is the mud dauber has a slender, waist (petiole) about as narrow as a piece of string which separates the thorax from the abdomen.
• Unlike paper wasps, mud daubers are more larger in size at 1/2 inch to more than 1 inch.
• Many species feature the typical black and yellow or orange coloring, but some species of mud daubers are even a metallic blue or black.
• Has 6 legs that hang freely when flying and a pair of antennae.
• Have a pair of wings that are colored a transparent white or a dark, rusty orange color.

Use the image and description above to help you in identifying mud daubers. If unsure, then contact us with a photo of your pest through email or in person at one of store locations or simply reach out through phone. By doing this we can properly identify your pest and suggest the correct treatment plan for the pest infesting your yard.

Inspection

After properly identifying mud daubers on your property, you can proceed with inspection. During this phase you are looking for the areas the pest is frequently visiting, site of nest, and other conditions allowing it to thrive. It would be wise to wear personal protective equipment that keeps you well covered such as a Professional Bee Suit in the chances of becoming stung.

Where to Inspect

From spring to summer, mud daubers construct nests in sheltered sites such as along porches, sheds, decks, eaves, attics, ceilings, barns, and against walls on sides of buildings or sometimes outdoor equipment. They can also be seen around the edge of water sources like ponds, bird baths, and muddy areas to roll the mud into balls to help form their nests. Throughout the spring season adult mud daubers feed on plant nectar, honeydew, and the body fluids of other insects, especially spiders.

What to Look For

Throughout the fall, spring, and summer season listen for loud, rhythmic buzzing of mud daubers as they are working to construct new nests or fly around in search of mating partners.

Mud daubers are solitary pests, so you will typically see one adult female pest build one single tube or have multiple side by side skinny tubes similar to organ pipes with varying lengths, and measuring about 1 inch long in length. Different species of mud daubers will create differently shaped nests, but they are usually tubular with one exit hole per tube.

Within these tubes the female mud dauber fills them with paralyzed spiders for the larvae to feed on and inside each tube one egg can be found on top of these remains. Nests with an open round hole on the outside is more than likely inactive. Be sure to also note any spider activity on your property, webs, and nests as these pests are commonly hunted by mud daubers.

Treatment

Though these pests are not known for stinging, they still have the potential. Make sure you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment by wearing thick long-sleeve shirt and pants, safety glasses, gloves, or for the utmost protection against stings and chemical exposure a professional bee suit.

Pesticide applications during the late evening or early morning, are recommended as mud daubers are known to be less active from these time frames. The most effective way to kill mud daubers is to remove their nest and food source as well as directly spraying pests with an aerosol insecticide that provides a quick knockdown.

Step 1: Remove Spiders and their Webs

When homeowners think of spiders the last thing on their mind is that this pest could be the cause of other insects on your property, in particular the mud dauber. When this favorable food source moves in on your property so will the mud dauber. If you are quite active in your yard then running across either of these pests may be less than ideal.

Depending on the species, the spider may make its web alongside your home, in corners of high ceilings, and often make nests in attics, garages, basements, and wherever there might be clutter.

We recommend you first remove spider webs or nests with Web Out Cobweb Eliminator, Cobweb Duster, and an extension pole. Web Out Cobweb Eliminator is a ready to use organic spray pesticide that dissolves spider webs, egg sacs, and keep the spider itself away for at least 30 days or more. Simply shake the Web Out Cobweb Eliminator and spray directly on the web, eggs, and areas around it.

Once the webbing is thoroughly wet brush them away with your JT Eaton Yellow Cobweb Duster, which its bristle headed helps to easily brush away webs and dust. For those hard to reach areas, you will need to attach it to an extension pole like Extender Pole Webster.

Step 2: Directly Spray Pests

Once the larvae is finished developing the mud dauber will reuse its nest to lay the next generation of eggs. Depending on the species, the mud dauber creates one or two generations per year. Before removing the mud dauber nest, you may need to eliminate any wasps protecting it. We recommend treating mud daubers with an insecticide with a quick knockdown before physically removing the nests from the area.

Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol is a ready to use pyrethrin aerosol designed for quick treatment of various insects like mud daubers. This product works immediately on contact, knocking down pests that make contact with the spray. Use the product as a direct spray on outdoor areas where you have noticed the mud daubers. This product does not have a residual, so mud daubers will have to make contact with the spray to be affected.

To use Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol you will need to shake the can well before application. Apply Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol directly on present mud daubers from approximately 18" and contact as many of these pests as possible.

Once all pests have been eliminated and there is no signs of activity you can then scrape the nest off with a scraping tool like a paint scraper or break it apart. If you are using a scraping tool then older nests may need to be softened with water. Remove nest residues with water on surfaces that cannot be scraped.

Do not allow people or pets to enter treated areas until sprays have dried nor allow the spray to contact plastic, painted, or varnished surfaces.

Prevention

After mud daubers have been eliminated from your property, you will want to ensure they do not come back. Listed below are some preventative measures to follow to decrease the likelihood of mud daubers returning to your yard.

• Regularly eliminate spider webs and reduce clutter in and around your home to prevent spiders.
• Maintain a regular lawn care practice by mowing when turf reaches 3 inches in height, raking fallen leaves and other plant debris, and pruning decaying or overhanging tree branches and limbs. Following these practices can help reduce the environment conditions needed by other insects to survive thus reducing food sources for mud daubers.
• Scrape away past mud daubers nests after it has been treated with Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol. You may also spray with water to remove vacant mud dauber nests on surfaces that cannot be treated with products.
• Limit potential nesting and feeding sites for insects and mud daubers by sealing cracks, crevices, and voids with caulk. Mud daubers prefer secluded areas so preventing access to these areas helps to deter them from your home.
• The best way to prevent mud daubers from establishing themselves on your house is to apply a repellent insecticide and eliminate the mud daubers food source. We recommend you use a product like Sylo Insecticide. Sylo Insecticide is an emulsifiable concentrate that must be mixed with water, so we recommend using a handheld pump sprayer. The rate you will apply is 0.5 fl. oz. of Sylo Insecticide per 1,000 sq. ft. of treatment area. Once your solution is mixed, spray the areas where you noted mud daubers nest. You will also need to treat along eaves, and any entry points like around doors and windows. Then, conduct a barrier treatment by spraying along your structures outer perimeter going 3 feet up the structure and 6 to 10 feet out. When finished, keep people and pets away from treated areas until the product dries completely. When dry, the product will leave a residual that will continue to treat the area for up to 90 days. Labeled pests that make contact with the residual typically die within 20 minutes. We recommend you make this application quarterly to maintain year-round control.

Key Takeaways

What are Mud Daubers?

• Mud daubers are wasps that do not live colonies and create their nests from mud.

How to Get Rid of Mud Daubers

• To address mud dauber invasions use Web Out Cobweb Eliminator to remove spider web nests and egg sacs then brush them away with a duster attached to an extension pole. Then treating mud dauber nests towards the evening when pests are less active with Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol.

Preventing Mud Dauber Reinfestation

• To prevent mud daubers from coming back to your property, you will need to continue with regular lawn care practices to reduce habit and food sources for other insects. Spray Sylo Insecticide around your homes foundation and entry points every 3 months to keep mud daubers and other insects away.