Mud Dauber Wasps

Mud Dauber Wasps

Mud daubers are large, solitary wasps. The females collect mud and use it to construct nests or brood chambers, which can often be seen attached to buildings or under the eaves of houses. They are bottle shaped with a tunnel entrance, and look just like tiny versions of martin or swallow nests. When the work is complete, the female mud dauber wasp captures and paralyses insects and spiders which she places inside the chamber. She lays her eggs, and then seals the entrance to the nest. When the wasp larvae hatch they feed on the insects, and later emerge as adult wasps to start the cycle all over again. There's no need to worry about being stung by mud daubers - unlike social wasps they are not aggressive, and are unlikely to sting as long as you don't touch them. Control is not necessary; instead think of them as beneficial insects which help to keep spider numbers in check.

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