As the name implies, mud dauber wasps construct their nests from – you guessed it – mud. Their nests are unusual because they don’t resemble the comb-like structure of other wasp nests. Instead, a mud dauber’s nest mimics the shape of either an urn or long, thin pipes containing several chambers to house one single egg each. The female dauber is responsible for locating an abundant mud supply to build a nest. She uses her head and mandible to flatten the mud, while her saliva helps to create the urn-style or tube-like shaping. The unique structures of mud dauber nests make them easy to identify. The areas where you will find their nests around your Placerville property most often include:
- Building Overhangs
- Front Porches
- Caves
- Barns
