If you have never encountered a wasp nest, consider yourself lucky. Many of the Lincoln, CA residents that do encounter one attempt to knock down the nest, only to incur the wrath of a very angry mama wasp. Most times, this doesn’t end well. Wasps are not usually aggressive and only attack when they perceive a threat to their nest. Provoked or not, the sting or stings are unpleasant. Pro Active Pest Control is ready to assist you in the nest removal.
What Is A Mud Dauber?
The mud dauber is a wasp named for its nest built out of mud, but there are several varieties under the umbrella of that name. The organ-pipe mud dauber, black and yellow mud dauber, and the blue mud dauber.
You will see these nests under eaves, stuck to concrete walls, and an apartment complex breezeways. Basically, any place where they can be out of the harsh elements but still outdoors. These nests will last years if undisturbed. The nests themselves vary in size and shape and are the way you know which wasp group you are playing host to. The mud dauber is usually only aggressive when threatened.
Behaviors
Mud daubers are solitary, meaning one parent wasp per nest, but several nests in the same area can be found. Many factors will attract wasps onto your property. Most of the things they are attracted to are enjoyed by humans also, so eliminating those factors isn’t so easy.
- Flowers - Wasps like flowers. They are attracted to the sweet nectar as a food source, but also they enjoy the smell. Maybe they are just taking time to smell the roses, but whatever the reason, humans that enjoy their flower gardens aren’t likely to give them up to reduce the wasp population.
- Meat - Wasps need protein, so the meat is a natural attraction for them. Have you ever been to a BBQ and had wasps try to help themselves to your steak? They are a terrible nuisance at backyard outings.
- Fruit trees - Dropped rotting fruit is another attractor. You should definitely keep the dropped fruit picked up. However, use caution when disposing of fruit as many people are stung as they reach for the fruit. Try using an extension grabber so that you can maintain a safe distance.
- Insects - As we said earlier, wasps are like protein. This includes insects. Mud dauber wasps will even eat black widow spiders. They also need spiders to feed their young during the metamorphosis cycle.
Prevention Tips
There are several DIY tips for keeping wasps away; here are the top four:
- Remove any food source; this includes garbage cans, empty soda cans, dropped fruit from trees, and other insects.
- Check for sources of stagnant water; removing these water sources will help with many insect issues.
- Grow plants that naturally repel the wasp, such as mint, thyme, or lemongrass.
- Since spiders are the main food source for their young, taking steps to eliminate spiders from your property should be at the top of the list.
These four simple tips will serve you well.
Safest Nest Removal
As we said earlier, the mud dauber is not highly aggressive, so it is easier to overlook their presence until they fly into your home or frightening the children. Homeowners, however, can be in for a surprise when more aggressive wasp species take over a mud dauber nest, and all of a sudden, you are being attacked. Either way, the nest should be removed from the house by a professional. This is the safest and most effective way to handle the situation. Lincoln can have some pretty brutal wasp and hornet seasons. Please don’t wait until it gets out of control. Call Pro Active Pest Control for a wasp removal estimate today.