I have a lot of what I think are mud wasps in our yard and would like to know how to 1. identify them for sure 2. get rid of them.
Re: edeyar These are commonly called mud dauber wasps, and you can find a lot of information about them on the Web. They were very common in Missouri where I grew up, but I don't see them much in BC. Paper wasps seem to be much more abundant here. The easiest way to identify them is to find their mud nests, which are usually located under eaves, in cavities, or in some other protected location. These wasps are solitary and do not defend their nests. They are also unlikely to sting; so there is no strong reason to eliminate them, unless the nests are located in an area of high human traffic. The nests are easily knocked down at night when the adults are not active. You can use a wasp and hornet aerosol spray if it make you feel safer.
Re: edeyar Thanks for the help...these wasps are mostly hovering about 1-2 inches above our lawn and don't seem interested in stinging at all.
Re: edeyar Best let them be. Wasps provide a very important pest control service, consuming thousands of damaging pest insects (caterpillars, etc.).
