Q: I’ve attached a photo (above) of one of several insect mud homes that are in my hot water heater closet (external door is to outdoors). Is it mud dauber? Any reason to be alarmed?
A: Yes, this is a home for mud dauber wasps, aka mud dobber, dirt dauber, dirt digger, etc. No reason to be alarmed unless you spend a lot of time going in that closet. They are relatively docile insects and would only be hazardous if they felt their home was threatened. Some people regard them as beneficial insects in that they are predators of spiders.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions and photos may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
