How to Get Rid of Mud Daubers in Your Yard and Garden

Have you noticed long, slender wasps building mud nests around your home or outdoor spaces?

If so, you’ve likely got mud daubers.

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with them forever.

Here at Pest Dude, we’ve been helping people learn to eliminate mud daubers in their yards for over 20 years, and we’ve combined our best tips into this comprehensive guide.

What are Mud Daubers?

Mud daubers are a type of wasp that is easy to identify thanks to their slender black bodies, which sometimes feature touches of yellow or white.

While they might look scary, mud daubers aren’t usually a threat to humans. They’re not aggressive and will rarely sting unless they’re trapped or attacked.

Mud daubers also don’t swarm – unlike their social wasp cousins, mud daubers DO NOT live in colonies.

Instead, they build individual mud nests, attaching them to walls, eaves, or any other sheltered spot they can find.

These wasps are methodical when it comes to nest-building. They gather mud and shape it into tubes or cells, and the females lay a single egg in each one. Then, they stock each cell with paralyzed spiders as food for their future larvae.

Fortunately for property owners, mud daubers also aren’t very damaging pests. They don’t damage plants or structures, although their nests can be an eyesore.

Although we get calls all summer long to get rid of these wasps, our methods of dealing with them are pretty simple – we locate their mud nests and scrape them off with a spatula.

Because the females lay their eggs and then leave, there’s usually no wasp guarding the nest and nothing more than a single wasp larva and a few paralyzed spiders inside the nest.

Before You Get Started

• Gather Your Supplies: Ensure you have all the supplies you need before starting. You’ll need gloves, a long-handled spatula or scraper, a container for the nests, and maybe a small ladder if the nests are hard to reach. You should also grab some mild detergent, a hose or bucket of water, and some caulk to seal any possible wasp entry points.
• Choose the Best Time: The best time to get rid of mud dauber nests is early morning or late evening when the wasps are less active. This way, there’s less chance of running into them.
• Prepare for Removal: Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants to avoid any possible stings. Check the area for wasps before starting (again – these pests don’t usually guard their nests). Have a plan for safely disposing of the nests once removed.

How to Get Rid of Mud Daubers: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Locate the Nests

Mud daubers love building nests in sheltered places like under eaves, garages, or around windows and doors, so inspect these areas carefully.

The nests are made of mud and resemble small tubes or clusters of tubes.

2. Apply an Insecticide

Now that you know where the nests are, you’ll need to remove them.

Before you do that, though, we recommend applying a liquid or dust residual insecticide (like this one) to the nest itself and the surrounding surfaces.

Once the insecticide has had a chance to go to work (check the label directions for time recommendations), you can remove the nest, which we’ll discuss in the next step.

Although mud daubers are rarely aggressive, you should always protect yourself by wearing PPE during this process.

3. Remove the Nests

Now that you’ve killed any larvae or adult wasps inside the nest, you can get rid of it.

Here’s how to do it:

• Use a Spatula or Scraper: Gently slide a long-handled spatula or scraper under the nest. Press gently but firmly to lift it off the surface.
• Collect the Nests: Place the detached nests in a trash bag and close it securely after collecting all visible nests. For extra protection, double bag the nests and put them in an outdoor trash bin with a secure lid.
• Clean the Area: Use mild detergent and water to clean the area where the nest was. This removes any leftover scent that might attract other wasps.

4. Apply a Repellent

Use a repellent on the area to keep mud daubers from coming back.

Here are a few natural and chemical options:

Natural Options:

• Peppermint Oil: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and apply to the cleaned area. The strong scent of peppermint may deter wasps.
• Citrus Spray: Combine citrus essential oil or freshly squeezed citrus juice with water and spray the area. Citrus is acidic enough that it can help keep mud daubers away.

Chemical Options:

• Commercial Wasp Spray: Use a commercial wasp and hornet spray (like Raid, available at most hardware stores). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe application. Remember that sprays like this usually don’t have much residual function, so they’re better used to spray individual wasps directly.
• Residual Spray: Another dash of residual insecticide that stays active for an extended period can protect the area from mud daubers returning.

5. Prevent Future Infestations

Here are some handy tips and tricks to keep these wasps away:

• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Take a walk around your home and check for any tiny cracks or gaps, especially near windows, doors, and eaves. Grab some caulk or weather-stripping to seal them up and make it harder for wasps to sneak inside.
• Keep Your Screens in Good Shape: Make sure all your window and door screens are in good shape, with no holes or tears. You might even want to install some fine mesh screens for extra protection.
• Limit Moisture: Mud daubers build their nests with wet mud. Fix any moisture issues like leaky faucets, poor drainage, or standing water to make your home less attractive to them.
• Get rid of Food Sources: Mud daubers are drawn to places with food. Make sure trash bins are tightly sealed and clean up food waste quickly to lower the chances of attracting them.

When to Call a Professional

Are you dealing with a significant wasp infestation? Maybe you’re allergic to stings? In this case, it’s wise to call in the pros.

They’ve got the know-how, tools, and safety gear to handle wasps safely and efficiently.

Plus, they can figure out how bad the problem is, identify the wasp species, and use eco-friendly treatments that work.

They’ll also give you tips on how to keep mud daubers and other pests away in the future.

You Don’t Have to Get Rid of Mud Daubers on Your Own – Find a Pro in Your Area!

Are you tired of dealing with mud daubers? You don’t have to put up with these pests any longer!

If your DIY methods haven’t worked or you need quicker results, teaming up with a local pest control company is the way to go.

Pest Dude connects you with a network of trusted pest control experts in your area.

Call us at (844) 532-0076, and we’ll help you find a pro to eliminate wasps and other flying pests.