PAPER WASPS
Paper Wasps are very common in San Diego County. Their name comes from their nests that are made of a paper-like substance. These wasps are usually found on the eaves of homes. Adults feed on sugary liquids, but gather natural foods such as insect larvae to feed to their own offspring. Colonies do not survive the winter, but are started by a single fertilized female which over-wintered in a protected location. The nest is created from chewed bark, dried plant parts, or other cellulose materials, and the cells in which the larvae will grow are formed as the traditional hexagon shape. Once the first adults emerge they become the workers and the original female, or “queen”, settles into laying eggs. All members of the colony are females and all of them can sting. Paper wasps are large wasps, usually about one inch long, and colors are yellow with black, orange, or reddish brown. Colonies may eventually contain several hundred workers, and usually consist of a single, flat, very wide nest. The adult workers rest on this at night. BUGS BEE DEAD has an excellent Wasp removal program that is safe for people and pets
MUD DAUBER
The nest is created from blobs of mud gathered by the female and formed into hollow cells, often with many cells arranged next to each other in columns. The female then gathers insect larvae or spiders, stings it to paralyze it, and then places this immobilized prey in the cell. She lays an egg in each cell, seals the cell with mud, and never returns. While the female mud daubers can sting it is a rare occurrence. They do not defend their nests and will sting only when they feel directly threatened. Nests are commonly placed in the eaves or attics of houses, but will often show up in other odd locations where the nest could be placed securely. The most common mud daubers around structures are the large black and yellow species and the metallic blue species. These are long wasps with very long, thin waists and small abdomens. The black and yellow species may be an inch long, while the blue species is slightly smaller. The antennae are often somewhat curled. BUGS BEE DEAD can remove the mud nest and treat the area to prevent further problems.
MUD DAUBER
The Black and Yellow Mud Dauber is very common in San Diego County. Mud daubers are solitary wasps that provide a nest and food for their larvae but do not further care for them.
The nest is created from blobs of mud gathered by the female and formed into hollow cells, often with many cells arranged next to each other in columns.
The female then gathers insect larvae or spiders, stings it to paralyze it, and then places this immobilized prey in the cell. She lays an egg in each cell, seals the cell with mud, and never returns.
They do not defend their nests and will sting only when they feel directly threatened. Nests are commonly placed in the eaves or attics of houses, but will often show up in other odd locations where the nest could be placed securely. The most common mud daubers around structures are the large black and yellow species and the metallic blue species. These are long wasps with very long, thin waists and small abdomens. The black and yellow species may be an inch long, while the blue species is slightly smaller. The antennae are often somewhat curled. Bugs Bee Dead can remove the mud nest and treat the area to prevent further problems.