These SC wasps will makes nests in the ground. Here’s why you might want a few in your yard
Many people tend to run when they see a wasp and avoid an area if they see one of their nests overhead.
However, did you know there is a special species of wasps that also build their nests out of mud, which can also be found in the ground?
What are they?
Mud daubers, also called mud wasps or dirt daubers, are certain species of wasp that build their nests from mud and are similar in appearance to other wasps. What sets them apart is their extremely narrow waists, which have been compared to being thread-like in nature due to the apparent fragile-like thinness.
Mud daubers’ colors vary between yellow and black or black and dark blue with a metallic-like sheen. They also have clear or dark colored wings.
As for size, these wasps can grow to be a half-inch to an inch long when fully grown.
Where and how do they build their nests?
Mud daubers are named after the mud nests that they build.
The mud nests are made up of clumps or short tubes that are built next to each other, which can be found in a garage or shed-like structure, under eaves of a roof or on the ceiling of your porch, according to Island Pest Control. Occasionally, these wasps can get inside homes and build nests inside attics as well since these insects tend to look for a sheltered place to build their nests.
However, if you find a nest with a hole, this generally means that the nest is empty as they make a hole in the nest once they leave them. If you see this, still take precautions. Sometimes empty mud dauber nests are stolen by other stinging insects that could be more aggressive in nature.
Compared to other wasp species, mud daubers are known for being more solitary and will generally keep to themselves. However, you will most likely find several nests in your yard rather than one individual colony nest.
What do they eat?
Adult mud daubers tend to feed on a diet of nectar, a variety of different spiders and honeydew. For this reason, these wasps have been seen as helpful to lawn owners as they will feed on black widows and other hazardous arachnids.
Mud daubers will fill their nests with spiders that they paralyze to serve as food for their young, Island Pest Control continued.
Are they dangerous?
These pests generally aren’t aggressive creatures, especially as far as other wasps are concerned, but they do still have the same ability to sting multiple times as other wasps do.
They will only choose to act and sting if they feel threatened as they do not defend their nest like other wasp species.
If you happen to come across one, avoid interacting with them or their nests. If you do this, you should be safe being near a mud dauber as they are generally docile insects.
However, if you or someone nearby are allergic to wasp venom, it’s best to avoid any possible interaction with the mud dauber due to the possibility of going into anaphylactic shock.
Can you keep them from your yard?
As these wasps prefer to live off of nectar and spiders, try to lessen these from your yard to avoid creating permanent nests in the area.
If you dislike the presence of stinging insects overall, removing flowering plants from your property may be your best bet to naturally rid your yard of any stinging pest, according to Bugman Pest Elimination. However, this will also minimize the presence of butterflies and even hummingbirds in your yard.
If they have found their way inside, seal off any potential entry points after they have been removed from the area.
The only other way to properly remove or deter mud daubers from settling down is by hiring a professional pest control service.
This story was originally published April 12, 2023 at 8:00 AM with the headline "These SC wasps will makes nests in the ground. Here’s why you might want a few in your yard."
