About Mud Daubers

Mud daubers (Sphecidae family) are slender black or metallic-blue wasps, sometimes with yellow markings. Unlike yellow jackets or hornets, they are solitary nesters, constructing mud tubes on structures such as eaves, garages, or sheds.

Risks & Concerns

Mud daubers rarely sting and are considered beneficial because they hunt and paralyze spiders to feed their young. However, their nests can be unsightly, and abandoned tubes may attract other pests.

Prevention & Control

Knock down inactive mud nests to discourage reuse. Since they are non-aggressive and even helpful in reducing spider populations, they generally don’t require professional control unless nests become excessive.