Mud Dauber
The Mud dauber is a terrifying looking wasp that has the ability to build its own house out of mud. The Mud Wasp is a name that is given out to several kinds of solitary wasps that have the ability to build their own nest. There are no similarities between a hornet and mud dauber.
Mud daubers are basically harmless unless you make them feel that they are in some kind of danger. You can even call these little buggers as dirt divers, dirt daubers, and dirt dobbers. They can control the spider and the insect growth. Yes, this is something that you might like about these wasps. They vary from one another in size and appearance. This entirely depends on the species of mud dauber that you are dealing with.
They are not particularly ‘sociable’ by nature and don’t move in a colony. They have the potential to raise two generations at the same time. The females do all the work of building a nest. So, are you ready to enjoy the facts and intriguing details about the Mud Wasp?
How does a Mud Dauber look like?
These wasps are named after their ability to build their own nests out of mud. The entire family of mud wasps is divided into several subspecies. What does that mean? It means they are present in a variety of color and their appearance differs from one another along with their nests.
The colors that mostly appears on the Mud Dauber’s body are yellow, blue, and black. However, there are more than a few things that all mud wasps share amidst one another. This includes a petiole which is a narrow waist that divides the body of the wasps into a thorax and abdomen. They represent bright, vibrant, and contrasting color. Mud daubers measure about one inch in size with a very narrow, and long waist.
What does the Mud Dauber eat?
Mud Daubers like every other wasp is a predator by nature. The female mud wasp builds their nest from scratch and is responsible for hunting down the prey. However, there is an exception. The pipe organ mud dauber is known to bring spiders inside their nest. They also protect the nests and guard it at all times.
The yellow and black mud daubers prey on the small and colorful spiders. This includes the crab spiders, jumping spiders, and the orb weavers. They are found around the vegetation. The blue mud daubers hunt down the brown as well as black widow spiders.
The adult (both male and female) mud dauber is known to drink the nectar of flowers; still, they will keep a stock of spiders in their nest. This works as food, which they keep in store for their offsprings. The Mud Wasps are very particular about the type and kind of spiders. Rather than hunting down large spiders, they cram their entire nest with small spiders. The mud wasps venom is enough to paralyze the spiders. Once that is done, the Mud Dauber carries it to its nest, and then the larva consumes it later.
How Painful is the Sting of a Mud Dauber?
Wasp stings are a very common thing, and four out of five individuals face it. However, they are nothing too serious. They cause momentary discomfort and pain. Within no time it heals, and the swelling or redness disappears. The Mud Daubers are typically calm and devoted to building their own nests. They hardly attack their Intruders even when they watch their nests are being destroyed. Spiders are their only prey, and they refrain from biting or hurting anything else.
However, if they feel threatened, they will sting you. It is very unlikely, but their bites can cause redness as well as swelling. A raised welt or small swelling appears around the sting. One will be able to witness the white spot on the center of the bite. This problem can escalate faster than you can imagine. If someone is allergic to the mud daubers venom, then the chances of allergic reactions are a possibility.
The allergic or severe symptoms of the mud dauber include:
- Swelling around the area of the bite
- Itching in different places of the bite that is not associated with the bite
- Gasping, wheezing, and other breathing difficulties arise
- A sudden fall in the blood pressure levels.
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of consciousness
- Cramps in the stomach.
If you face any of these symptoms, then it is time to immediately visit the doctor.
Signs of Mud Dauber Infestation
If you see a large number of mud daubers roaming around in your house, then there is a high chance it has built its nest somewhere inside your home or nearby your house, most probably your garden. The nest of a mud dauber can contain hundreds and hundreds of them inside it. This is especially during the summer months. When you treat it on time the chances of a sting or any nuisance reduces. The nest that is built by a mud dauber is pretty easy to locate. So, look for it in and around your house if you see an increase in Mud Daubers in your house.
How to Get Rid of Mud Daubers
Mud Daubers are not only docile but unless provoked they are basically harmless. Does that mean you should live along with them? Absolutely not. Here, are some of the ways you can get rid of mud daubers and their nests.
Try using peppermint oil
This is the easiest way to get rid of the mud daubers in your house. All you have to do is pour a few drops of the peppermint oil at the place of the infestation. This will take care of the mud daubers, and they will run away as fast as they can. You can use this remedy to remove an entire nest of mud daubers. They can’t stand the strong and powerful smell of this essential oil. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place it around your house and inside your home as well.
Use of dishwashing soap
There is absolutely no need to spend a large sum of money on dishwashing soap when you can make your very own strong, powerful, and effective spray. All you need is dishwashing soap, water, and a spraying can.
Pour two tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap into boiling water. Shake it well inside the spraying can. Use this to spray it all over the nest once you locate it. If you see mud daubers roaming around in your house, then you can spray some on them as well. Don’t miss out the mud burrows and holes. Not only will it remove the infestation, but it will also clean the area.
When you opt for fertilizers that are sold in the market as a remedy to get rid of the Mud Daubers or any other insects, then you are bound to face some serious consequences. If you don’t want any such thing to happen, then go ahead and try a simple solution. Use boiling hot water. Pour boiling hot water on the nests of the mud dauber to completely destroy it. Try out this procedure at night when the Mud Daubers won’t be accepting it. They will not only die fast, but they will all be gone at once.
Choose organic ways to deal with the whole mud dauber situation. Another great remedy that one can try out is the extracts obtained from citrus fruits. If you find a mud dauber’s nest in your garden, then you can use it on that without reducing the fertility of your soil. Rich with linalool and limonene, the citrus oil extracts are enough to deal with these mud daubers. Every time you come across the nest of a mud dauber or a mud dauber itself, pour it straight away on its body.
Place a trap
You can get hold of the mud daubers by creating a trap for them. Cut a plastic bottle in half and fill it with water. Now, go ahead and smear the rim of the plastic bottle with jam. Place the other half (or top portion) of the plastic bottle above the rim. The Mud Dauber will slide inside to get the jam but won’t be able to come back up. This is an effective way to catch them.
These are some of the effective ways of dealing with the problems of mud dauber infestation. You can even call the professionals to deal with this serious problem if matters get out of control.
Pictures of Mud Daubers
Take a look some of these pictures of mud daubers to know how they look like:
Mud Dauber Facts
Some interesting facts about Mud Daubers:
- They enjoy a solitary life and are basically loners.
- You are going to see a mud dauber during the summer months, especially around mud puddles.
- They generally flee away from their intruders. Mud Daubers will only sting if it has to otherwise it will find from the spot.
- Spiders are pretty scared of the Mud Daubers.
