Mud daubers are a type of solitary stinging insect that are found living throughout the United States including Missouri. They get their name because of the unique nests they create out of mud. They are generally seen as nuisance pests and are not a particularly aggressive species of stinging insect.
| Pest Identification | |
|---|---|
| Recognition | Mud daubers are a type of solitary wasp, and their appearance will vary by specific species. In general, they are 1/2 to 1 inch in length, have a narrow waist, and a thread-like segment between their thorax and abdomen. They are black or bluish metallic in color, but some species may have yellow or greenish markings on them. |
| Biology | Mud daubers overwinter in the pupal stage. Then in the spring adults will emerge and the females will find a location to create a new mud nest. They may also choose to re-use a previously abandoned mud dauber nest. The female will sting, paralyze, and capture insects that they will place in individual cells within the nest. The female will place an egg on the food source and seal the cell. Each female will create or re-use multiple mud nests to lay her eggs in. The larvae will hatch and feed on the insect before entering the pupal stage until the following spring when a new generation of adult mud daubers will emerge from the nest. |
| Habits | Mud daubers create their distinctive mud nests in barns, sheds, garages, on brick walls, and under roof eaves and decks; they will also create them in the crevices of rocks, and under rock overhangs. These nests can be round, vertical, or a similar shape. Adult mud daubers feed on nectar, honeydew, and the body fluids of insects that they prey upon. Some species will even feed on and control the population of black widow spiders. |
| Prevention | It is almost impossible to stop a mud dauber from wanting to create their nests on the exterior walls of homes, sheds, garages, and other buildings. The best way to control mud daubers and keep them from becoming a nuisance on your Missouri property is to make sure that you have a year-round pest control program in place. Having a professional pest control services in place will prevent problems with mud daubers and other pests in your home and on your property. |
| Professional | If mud daubers have become problematic on your property, Rottler Pest and Lawn Solutions can help. Though they are beneficial because they prey and feed on nuisance insects and dangerous spiders, they have the ability to become a nuisance and danger to people. Our experienced technicians will safely control and get rid of these pests from your property. |
