Mud Dauber wasp. They can be your friend.

The incredible Life cycle of the Australian Mud Dauber wasp From building a nest to becoming an adult wasp.

[@SADBOY-gd1zn]

So cool how they use the high pitched vibration as a means of spreading the mud out more efficiently. I enjoyed this

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

They are amazing animals, There is so much to learn about insects and all animals. thank you for watching.

[@TheTantanski]

Its similar to how people use vibrations to evenly fill walls when pouring them out of concrete.

[@itsmevarnami]

An hour ago, I destroyed a nest it made on my door and a bunch of paralysed spiders fell out. I was not expecting that.

[@JustRyanLR]

i broke one today, was also not expecting spiders. I was thinking other wasps were in there

[@mindylehrman6471]

Just knocked one of these down myself.. spiders were quite a freaky surprise 😬

[@ohdahngboi_2237]

Those spiders weren’t dead, just paralyzed from the venom. After a while they’ll get back up from being paralyzed

[@gort3969]

Dont kill them

[@Cherubim666999]

...soooo you rather deal with possibly venomous spiders? Lol

[@P1995.]

I actually like these wasps, they’re not aggressive at all, you can actually watch them make a nest, every time I water my garden I see a fleet of them looking for mud

[@2pacfan56]

Yes but what about the suffering!

[@harshtripathi4113]

They are more docile than any other Hymenoptera species. I tried hard to get stung by one of these but it didn't.

[@matthewrossilini5808]

I've lived around mud daubers now for 12 years or so, and never knew of the horrors that occur in these nests.

[@2pacfan56]

I watched one build a mud nest in the fins of a rotor tiller. It would bring grubs. It was horrific indeed. I sprayed it because I didn’t wanna see the suffering go on any longer

[@nono-ev8zx]

I just spent two hours watching this thing build a nest in our patio. It really was an interesting process.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

They certainly are interesting but can be time wasters as well Thank you for watching.

[@mattphipps4983]

Im watching one make its 2nd hole its actually really cool too watch her make it

[@2pacfan56]

Indeed. I watched one build a catacomb in the head of a rotor tiller. It brought grubs in every few days

[@user-km4qt3ow2h]

This is some of the best footage of nature I’ve ever seen. Thank you for that incredible camera work. That detail is amazing.

[@sadisticnobility6579]

Mud daubers are actually cool, and they’re solitary which reduces the risk of the wasps ever feeling alarmed. We had a few of these around here, leading to their being fewer garden pests. They almost never sting, unlike other wasps.

[@Trixie0406]

There solitary???? Theres like 20 if them in my backyard at a mud puddle

[@kristheheretic5103]

​@@Trixie0406congratulations, your backyard is a wasp neighborhood instead of a household

[@Trixie0406]

@@kristheheretic5103 oh yay…

[@thattrashyfurry2368]

This is the most chill wasp type/breed I've ever seen

[@2002_bugeyewrx]

For a second I thought these were mini Hornets, thx man, I'm scared of them even tho they are friendly...

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Thank you for watching the video, yes you still wouldn't want to annoy them.

[@katalackatt76]

Same here! We captured one been hanging around in corner of our RV inside for a couple of days now. Had to hunt down what kind of wasp it was and finally figured it out, which led to this great video, what a trip! Thank you, I learned something new today.👍😊

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

@@katalackatt76 Thank you for watching my video, They are very interesting creatures, but they can be a nuisance in the wrong place.

[@deadaccount4522]

I love mud daubers, they're so friendly I've held them before and they just sit and wonder why you decided to hold them. I've had a few sit on me while blacksmithing

[@rudismith1975]

Thank heavens the ones with the worst stings are the least aggressive.

[@silverbushb448]

Really...? That's cool . I've only ever seen them killing (poor) spiders.

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

I've never had issues with mud daubers. I've picked up paper wasps before and thought they were OK. I've only picked up yellow jackets with a piece of wood. Wish more people would stop being eager to be needlessly mean to them.

[@JohnBender1313]

I had one follow me in my garden for a whole summer. She was my friend. They can seem aggressive but I think they are just interested and harmless. Like jumping spiders. And they are helpful to bees by killing other wasps that kill bees. A friend of my friend is a friend of mine.

[@bluesdealer]

@@WhistlesToAnimals mud daubers are cool. Paper wasps and yellow jackets deserve horrible deaths

[@Madebyjustina]

I woke up today to hear a buzzing coming from my window, which is always unnerving lol. So I lifted the blinds and there was a mud dauber! (I thought at first it was a normal wasp and about had a heart attack but noticed it’s skinny body and realized it was a mud dauber instead) I spent about 30 minutes calmly trying to coax it to the center of my window so I could put a Tupperware container over it. It was so chill and gentle and I was eventually able to catch it with no problems and just released it outside! I’m not gonna lie it was a pretty beautiful thing watching it fly away. They’re really wonderfully gentle things, so never be afraid to rescue one if they appear in your home!! 💖

[@ekquinn7059]

So interesting....have one on my porch, she has built four tubes in the last week. We have had a good deal of rain so she can build the chambers. There are nectar-filled flowers nearby to keep herself strong and there are tons of spiders near her nest to fill the chambers. I was going to remove them but after seeing this, I am going to leave them......so cool. Thanks!👍💗

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Elizabeth, thank you for watching. Most insects serve a purpose, and they interesting to observe.

[@andrewwarner4434]

I have a friendly mud dauber who just chills in the corner of my garage laundry room and I let him be… love the spider hunter

[@IdHitThatWithMyTruck]

They’re the only wasps I trust flying around my home lol

[@makennashuter6606]

Currently have one in my bedroom. Was just chilling on my windowsill for a few days peacefully and never went out the open widow. I was closing the window and accidentally squished its leg or something so immediately I opened the window and instead of flying out the window it flew BACK INTO my bedroom and is now flying around STEAMING MADDDDDD. Hiding under my covers lol HELP!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Hi makenna, It could be a bit disruptive, but there's a good chance It won't hurt you, they mainly only sting If you provoke them. Thank you for watching the video. kevin.

[@mercymain9336]

I hope you are alivs

[@striped_lightnin]

You good

[@NovaNests]

I think she has been eaten by the wasp and now she's food for her newborns

[@purpleemerald5299]

@@NovaNests Nah, don’t worry. The wasp probably just infected her and she mutated into another Wasp Hybrid. Nothing to worry about. Yet.

[@annrussellart050965]

Another awesome video, capturing aspects of the lifecycle we never ordinarily get to see!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Ann.

[@kawaiisnail0864]

I really enjoy watching your videos! It shows people the friendlier side of insects while educating others. Thank you for making videos like these!

[@deniseravenscroft9669]

Wow! Fantastic Kevin! Absolutely brilliant photography, editing and narration. So informative. Thank you!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it! Denise, Thank you.

[@NelsonNGray]

This was really well done. Thanks for making it

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@simonbrown9401]

Great video! excellent script, editing, and footage. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work

[@peramsunil87]

I used to leave her as she is very kind and a hard worker.. amazing wasps of a kind. Thank you sir. Love from India.

[@RedBirdRabbit]

I've got one building on the outside of my bathroom vent pipe. Took me ages to figure out what was going on, because all I heard was one wasp buzzing around periodically. I kept expecting more to show up. Now I've realized that the buzzing I've been hearing is the wasp working to distribute the mud evenly. Fascinating critters, I wish she was in a spot where I could watch her build! Thanks for the video ✨

[@eaevans1169]

This is a truly wonderful video! Thanks for being so thorough and informative. Amazing footage!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it! thank you for watching. Kevin.

[@julieno2099]

I was sitting on my porch watching an organ pipe builder just now and found this video while trying to figure out how she was doing it! : ) solitary wasps deserve more love

[@alisonmellor9836]

Wow, amazing video! Well done, and thanks for sharing these incredible insights into their fascinating lives!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's time consuming and a whole lot of fun. Thank you.

[@DaGleese]

I hate killing critters, but one of these was causing problems in my house. No matter what it stopped at nothing to make it's nest inside my house, I tried keeping the windows closed for a couple of days, but it just waited outside. I destroyed it's nest and allowed it to discover the nest was compromised, but it just began building the nest again in the same place. I attacked it while it was building the nest hoping it might get it to abandon the location, but it still kept coming back. I didn't know what else to do but swat it. It was stopping me from having my windows open and was bringing a lot of mud in the house. I feel terrible because it's the first time I've ever seen this creature and I ended up killing it.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

You have started to become a wildlifer, 😁

[@pmmeyourdadjokes9811]

Great video! We need more wasp awareness!! Wasps are not purely evil and mean organisms, they are happy pollinators who just want to be good parents.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

well said I have been studying these wasps for a couple of years, I have been in their faces for some of the time, and not once have any of them been aggressive. Thank you for your comment. Kevin.

[@generalstack6540]

One stung me yesterday it was trying to nest near my bbq . Caused swelling and pain. I detest them and will seek them out whenever I can because I don’t want my poor kids to get stung by them

[@pmmeyourdadjokes9811]

@@generalstack6540 it's just it's a lot more effective to just stay calm when they are nearby you. And a single slow swat to get them away from food or drink won't piss them off enough to sting. Ofc if there is a nest on your property I would remove them. But going out to kill them is the definition of a war of attrition

[@generalstack6540]

@@pmmeyourdadjokes9811 stung me just under the lip. Was miserable experience. I called out pest control today -- they launched the first salvo - phase I was launched against them today.

[@bluesdealer]

@@pmmeyourdadjokes9811terrible advice for dealing with social wasps, especially yellow jackets

[@phs125]

These are one of the most annoying things in our house. If any socket is left not plugged in for some time, tyeres suddenly a wasp nest inside the socket holes. It's really annoying because if you want to use the socket, you have to dig out everything with a screw driver. And if there's a larva inside, you'll end up squishing it. And now there's larva goo all over the socket. And even if there's no larva. It's still mud, you can't completely get rid of it. Then you'll have loose connection issues with the socket...

[@cidneyko9977]

Excellent video! I learned so much! Been in Texas my whole life and we have these all over the place. We call them “dirt daubers” here. I knocked one nest off of my patio a few weeks ago and a ton of spiders fell out and I was so confused! Now it makes so much sense. I feel bad for knocking the nest down now actually. Although I don’t think our guests would appreciate the little guy flying around their heads 😆

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Hi Cidney, They are very industrious critters, Interesting to watch If you have the time.

[@sandall7k]

This is absolutely incredible. What’s even more incredible it’s how the new wasp knows what to do without any guidance.

[@AgentClaytonWebb]

Yo, you did a great job with this vid! Better than a lot of big production makers!

[@silentopinion]

The coolest thing about mud daubers, is that they are actually very docile. They can sting, but it's pretty rare. I had one in my window and I was able to coax it outside without any problem.

[@bugtalk84]

I really admire the beauty of the mud dauber wasps.

[@elliebrinegar6568]

I know this may sound pretty strange, but am I the only one that thought that larvae had a cute and contented look on it's face at 4:46 ? It was like "Aw yeah I just ate a shit ton of paralyzed spiders and now I'm going to lay back and chill!" 😅

[@catsadilla324]

Amazing footage of the life cycle! very talented and educational! Keep it up!

[@sophiecroft3688]

I believe we currently have a nest on our window. Today I watched this creature add another cell. However, they are round nests, connected, not long. It is on the window by our couch so we can now see inside of it. If this is what it is, which I am pretty sure it is, my kids will love seeing it all as the process goes. Can’t wait to show them this video!

[@Ktonrider]

I have these all in my gardens all summer. They are all welcome in my yard, I love all different varieties of insects :)

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Thank you for viewing it

[@bordgard1]

These wasps also "love" all different varieties of insects :)

[@HexeHazel]

My kids and I are watching for homeschool lesson. They loved this and want to watch more. Thank you very much 😁

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Geo"De Crochet. Thank for watching the video, that's great you were able to use the video, Kevin.

[@PeasantByTheSouthernSea]

Thanks for the education. I will be more mindful when I find these mud capsules throughout my shed.

[@Cherubim666999]

I have some massive dauber nests all over my garage..love the lil guys

[@WaitingForOblivion]

Nice work on this video, very informational. We get a couple of these each year in our garage in California. We keep them around to get rid of all the spiders.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

They certainly keep the spiders down. Thank you for watching.

[@jordanm7025]

Thank you very much! What an excellent video with great education and detail!

[@jynxwoodcock2864]

Super cool. You got some great shots. Thanks for sharing

[@dmytromaslov707]

thank you very much particularly for the sound of these wasps make while constructing the mud shelters! i was curious on my kitchen where is this wasp is stuck and what it does, but now i know :)

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

You're very welcome!

[@pyra666]

Thank you for educating us!

[@hellohello8556]

This was a very good video. Thankyou. 👍

[@gammachinewhenthe]

Fr, dirt daubers are the most, absolutely coolest wasps fr

[@franccci]

thank you for making this

[@canopus5498]

absolutely amazing footage!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you for watching

[@singmundfreud]

Great video, thanks for your efforts!

[@someonepassingby1635]

I had one in the apartment while I was eating a chicken wing in the afternoon and I was terrified that it would sting me. So I kept hiding from it and kept the window open while it was flying around the apartment. My grandma, on the other hand, was so calm bc she couldn't see where the mud dauber went😅 Luckily, it flew away after awhile and I could continue to eat my chicken wing.

[@beazleteats4031]

What an excellent documentary. Thank you for taking the time to make such awesome content. Australia's version of Attenborough?

[@ArtEscape53]

I think so

[@tr.unionz_8086]

Mud daubers are if not thee most dosile creatures, you can actually get pretty close. I was able to get super close to one that was collecting mud for its nest. I like them cause they kill a lot of spiders.

[@reshmavelappan3110]

Wow this video was really informative... I was actually wondering what was inside the mud dauber's nest which I have inside my room... Thanks for the video

[@johnnypeck]

Great video. that's amazing what they do. I've recently found myself fascinated by a bald faced hornets nest. I had no idea how interesting these creatures were. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnBender1313]

I had one that was a friend. Would hang out on my shoulder while I tended the garden 2 years ago. I actually miss her.

[@Tigerlillyxo12]

Wow amazing video! I'm literally watching this wasp make 2 nests as we speak right now and she makes them so quick!

[@Batatkacom]

Documentaries like this really help me with my fear of insects And are super interesting too ;D

[@lomgshorts3]

Yeah, we have several species of mud daubers here in the States, so we know what they can for us. What most people think is that they are threat, not what they can do for man. Thanks for your video!

[@dangrimes5078]

If I hear a wasp buzzing I'm already going for my swatter!

[@jobrown8146]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@areurdytoparty]

you've managed to make them cute. I don't even live in AUS but thanks!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

You’re welcome 😊Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@FredoCorleone]

I'm pretty much infested by these, they don't sting luckily. But they make such a noise and nests everywhere

[@alexvdubb]

I see these at my construction site all the time. Whenever im near one of the nests it flies around me until i move out the way and it continues to do its thing. Its pretty cool to see. They dont bother you because they are so focused on what they are doing

[@metalmark8]

My God so much info!! Loved it 😁 You have a new sub my friend, good luck with your channel 🍀🤞🙏

[@elliebrinegar6568]

This is quite interesting to watch. I've never held wasps in very high regard... Until watching this video at least! I actually kind of have a fear of them, but I think this maybe helped a little bit! Thanks for this... great job on a really cool and interesting video.👍

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Ellie Brinegar. Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comments. I enjoyed making it.

[@mustachestudios]

These are incredible creatures. I’ve had to clean up some old nests before, and have come across plenty of dead spiders doing so. Amazing the things that are happening in the eco system around your home that you aren’t even aware of.

[@matthewsykes4814]

She's quite handsome to and knowing the spiders in oz... bloody brave too. Nature never fails to fascinate me.

[@kellyleonard5770]

What an excellent and educational video. Great video production and extremely informative! Thank you for sharing!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Thank you for watching it, It is a ton of fun to make these videos. Kevin.

[@jonathanharrington1464]

That was a great video! Thank you!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

You are so welcome!

[@aliengod2039]

I was gonna destroy a nest out of fear. Took a sharp pencil and poked it's nest. It was pretty strong. And then I was spooked by the wasp when she made an appearance. Slowly, I realized how hard working this mother was. So creative and so complex her nest. So, I left her to finish building and go. Once the babies hatch out, I will try to break the nest and keep it as a souvenir from nature.

[@johngate4715]

Have these in the garage, the are a lot cooler and nicer than other wasps. You can walk right near them or brush them away or off things and they will mind their own buisness. I was wondering where all the spiders went.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

John, all the spiders are totally eaten by the grub, they do a great job.

[@keithfulkerson]

That's crazy how thin her waist is. Great video btw. You got some excellent shots.

[@gort3969]

That's exactly what i was looking to find out. Thanks cobba👍👍👍

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Hi First last. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, my aim is entertain and pass on what I learn from making these videos.

[@benfranklin9156]

Excellent information. Mine in California come to my bird bath for water. It’s pretty dry now, summer, so perhaps they mix up the mud elsewhere. Love the vibrating to liquify and work the mud. How many millions of years to evolve this way of life. I fear humans are doomed, we are too disconnected from nature. Thank you for your video.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Thank you, Ben for watching, and taking the time to comment.

[@Maza675]

outstanding vid. I have seen these nesting and flying around my house since I was a child. I was always very wary of them as they look quite fearsome in flight. Now I don't feel so threatened. This was very interesting.

[@Vereid]

Absolutely agree about them looking fearsome in flight. Ever since I was a kid I’d seen them fly around and thought that they were terrifying as something that looks like a stinger (I don’t even know if it is) always points directly down and looks HUGE. But recently I’ve found a nest and it’s very docile. Still don’t like European Wasps though, they’re jerks.

[@kaylathehedgehog2005]

We have a similar wasp here in Mississippi, the organ pipe mud dauber. Their nests are similar to this wasp, but much longer and thinner. It's really fascinating watching them sculpt each pipe, and they make that little high pitched buzz as well. Didn't know it helped to stabilize the nest, so I learned something new. Freaked me out something fierce, though, when I needed to get one out from around my car's gas cap and a whole bunch of crumpled up spiders came pouring out.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Thank you for watching. they are fascinating to watch. but preferably from a distance, although most don't sting. Kevin.

[@krazyfan1489]

a video that says that Wasps aren't evil and that you can co-exist with them? Finally.

[@simransinghsidhu9742]

So nice video 👌🏻

[@PolizeiPaul]

Our Mud Daubers here (South Illinois) ain't as colorful as this, they are just black with yellow legs, No stripes on them like that. But they are just as gentile, They routinely fly into homes and fly about banging into walls and celings but never trying to sting anyone, I have 2 that have been living with me a while in doors now just banging around, I leave a small bottle cap full of honey for them to eat.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

That's kind of you, They are quite friendly and don't often bite Thank you for watching. Kevin.

[@tuba2182]

Thank you 👍

[@crzll9]

Been watching one in front my house for weeks, give her a name (BugMommy). I didn't know the sound was rk even the clay, they're so smart!

[@ARCSTREAMS]

are these native only to australia or south regions? because i found a bunch of these cells in a corner of my wood chest cabinet in the living room and im in canada?? they freaked us out cause i had no idea what they were but they look like clay or mud so i was thinking perhaps some kind of termite then wasp

[@SaulGoodman399]

Very accurate, I've seen these animals in the Canary islands before and they are extremely passive for wasps. I'd go as far to say that your more likely to be bitten by an ant than stung by one. The fact they are solitary creatures means if they are near or on your property they aren't really even a pest.

[@waltersobchak7275]

We have tons here in Florida. Jacksonville to be specific. They live everywhere outside on the cement walls and pole barn post. Never have I been stung.

[@mattsprayberry0]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that looked up this

[@tack9571]

I keep finding these in my house. I know they're not aggressive, but it's getting to be a problem. Any tips?

[@zakariaacharif8042]

a mud wasp entered my room today he kept flying around then stopped and started "studying" a corner in the ceiling,i knew that the architect has decided where to build his house,he or she started work this afternoon.

[@User13-03]

I saw a dirt dauber for the first time in my life 2 months ago, she was building her mud nest, I was watching it everyday. I didn't know what was happening, but after a couple of days the wasp didn't return so I thought that she has died and her nest is half done. So I left the nest as it is for 2 months. But I was just curious about what was inside the nest so I broke it after 2 months and found a lot of spiders and a larva in it. Then I watched your video. Now, I am completely fucked up that I have broken their life cycle. But I got to learn a lesson that never interrupt the nature at any time, at any cost.😓

[@lexi8712]

i found two little mud cocoons inside of one of my cardigans today that i haven't worn in a while and was very confused haha. thanks for the video! i think they were mud dauber nests.

[@dagconst1]

Fascinating to watch

[@paulthough4653]

I smoke in my garage and the mud daubers have seemed to situate themselves right next to my small bench. We have coexisted for two years now and they have never given me trouble. Every so often they will accidentally land on me and quickly flee if I make any movement. They've never been aggressive and I have even begun to enjoy watching them work.

[@OlogynyOfficial]

Amazingly informative and intriguing! Thank you for sharing!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@syntheticteapot]

Thanks for this. Greetings from Texas. I do believe the mud dauber is a little different in tx but I've always let them hang around since they are much less aggressive than red wasps and yellow jackets. Very informative video!

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Hi. They never attacked me In the eighteen months I was filming them, They definitely are not aggressive. We also have paper wasps in Aus. They are aggressive. Thank you for watching my video.

[@juliostube]

A very friendly wasp. Really.

[@tanujasagar7116]

Good video thanks

[@anonymoussoul3204]

Got stunk by them and now watching this just to forget the pain

[@mamagrimgram4325]

They keep building nests in my window. The noise they make doing it makes me go insane. Its like someone using an old dental drill with mud stuck in it. I dont care if they are chill, they are so loud when building.

[@BALDbee]

Around 12 minutes ago this flew into my room I caught and we now have a pet

[@anti-ixllearning798]

I saw a couple of them in the garden. I initially thought the wasp was like a queen. Yet, I have killed 4 of them and I still regret to this day. I’ve finally learned something new in this video. Thank you. Greetings from the US.

[@queenslandbackyardbugsandb2761]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I love learning as I study insects. Kevin.