MUD DAUBER CONTROL

   This article is about MUD DAUBER control.
It will explain why they are a pest and what
needs to be done for controlling infestations.
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   The following article will explain some basic
biology of the mud dauber, describe how to
treat infestations and then list the products
which are needed for the treatment. To see
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   Mud daubers are a pest throughout all of the
United States. There are several species which
are the most likely to nest on your home and these
include the organ pipe, the black and yellow, the
blue, the potter wasp and the mason species. These
wasps are so categorized because they create larva rearing
mud tubes in which young develop. You will find these
nests on the sides of your home. They like to construct
these nests between brick in the mortar joint, where
wood trim facia boards and molding meet and around window
and door frames. Their nests are similar yet different.
Though they all seem to be the same type of nest, in fact
each species has distinct characteristics associated with
design patterns of the mud. The easiest to identify is
the organ pipe whose nests are long and resemble the
way the pipes of an organ sit. Black and yellow daubers
build their nests more on top of each other and the
other species are different still. Regardless of the way
these nests are constructed, mud daubers frighten many
people and have been mistaken for termites on too many 
occasions. 
   Most daubers feed on spiders. Females seek out spiders,
sting them and deposit their bodies in the back of a larva
cell of their nest. An egg is then laid on the spider for
the young to feed. A female will typically have several
eggs in a single "pipe" and will have 3-6 pipes per nest.
If conditions allow, she may have more than one nest.
It is not just coincidence that nests seem to prevail on
certain homes. It appears to be homes which are stucco,
brick or other porous rough surfaces which they like.
It is both easier to build nests on such surfaces as well
as the fact that nests seem to hold better once constructed
on them. This lends credence to the theory that
daubers generated from nests built on such surfaces are more
likely to use an identical surface for their own reproduction
which further explains why one house may seem to be
infested witH dauber activity!!
   Though colorful and sometimes bright in color, mud 
daubers are not as likely to sting as others. It does
have a stinger which is used for it's food but generally
will not use it unless provoked. Their bodies are somewhat
frail compared to other wasps yet are wizards at using mud
and carrying it around to construct their nests. If your
house is serving as the local mud dauber neighborhood, there
is a simple way to control them. (Don't waste your time using
the garden hose hoping to chase them away. In case you haven't 
figured it out, they'll be back!) 
   Like most wasps, they don't like CYPERMETHRIN. This product
is both easy to use and works great at controlling local
infestations. Your method of treatment will vary on the time
of the year you are treating. If it is spring and they have
just begun nest making, simply spray the Cypermethrin on 
the sides of the home where there is activity. This can be
done with both a HOSE END SPRAYER or a PUMP SPRAYER.
Though the hose end sprayer is easier to use, it will tend
to waste more material since you are applying it so much
faster than the pump sprayer. The pump sprayer may not
be able to reach quite high enough so you may need both pieces
of equipment. Which ever you use, try to get about 500-1000
sq/ft of coverage per gallon of material used. Mix the
chemical one ounce to a gallon and start high when treating.
This will allow overspray to be efficiently used as it
flows down the side of the home. Most homes need 2-4 gallons
to get adequate protection all the way around. Although you
may only see activity on one side of the home, try to treat
as many sides as you can. This will prevent them from
simply moving to the untreated side of your house instead
of moving off your property completely.  Expect to make 
applications about once a month throughout the spring and
then a few more during the year. 
   If you already have a lot of nests, the sequence of treatment
should be two steps. First, try to knockdown as many of the
nests you can using a stick or some type of pole. Try
to use the longest stick or pole you have and don't be alarmed
if you see adults. They should avoid you. If you want some
extra protection, get a can of STINGER FREEZE which will
drop them as they fly.  You may see some larva in the nest
as well. They will be white and grub like. Be sure to remove
as many of the grubs and as much of the nest that you can.
Once they have been scraped, treat with the Cypermethrin
as detailed above. Daubers which are away from the nest
will either die if they land on treated surfaces or will 
simply be repelled from creating new nests. Within a few
days all activity will cease. Since daubers tend to 
return to where they were born, it may take a season or
two before they ignore your home completely.
   Mud daubers are persistent once they identify your
home as a place they like to nest. Treat with Cypermethrin
to stop them. If you are able to treat early in the spring,
you can expect 1-3 treatments to keep your home dauber
free for the season. If you have a big infestation, it will
require removing active nests and spraying over as much
of the home you are able to access. This will insure they
don't simply move over to untreated areas.

    If you have any questions about mud daubers or 
any other pest control problem, please give us a call
on technical support at 770.985.9388. If you want to see 
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