Of all the wasps you might encounter, mud daubers are among the least likely to sting – they’re also not as dirty as they might sound! They’re non-aggressive and generally ignore humans unless directly handled. Their focus is on nest building and providing for their offspring, they do not have large colonies to defend like their yellow jacket and hornet counterparts.
If you find a mud dauber nest, just leave it be if it’s not causing any harm. You really can live with a mud dauber nest in your garden Mud daubers do not grow to the larger lengths other wasps can and their nests are usually a lot smaller too. They can be found under pergolas, back garden umbrellas or the underside of decking. These structures are fascinating to observe and can provide a glimpse into the life cycle of these industrious insects.
Overcoming Wasp Fear
For those with spheksophobia, even the gentle mud dauber can trigger what is often perceived as a normal response to a fear of insects. Indeed, if you have a fear of wasps you could find yourself experiencing symptoms like:
- Raised heartbeat
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- An overwhelming urge to flee
- Panic attack
- Stress anxiety.
Again, as with the fear of other wasps, reactions are based on your own perceptions of the danger or stress and are not specifically related to the intentions of the wasp. In fact, the reaction of the wasp will be directly related to your own personal approach.
My daughter and I sat out in our garden this afternoon, within touching distance of a brightly coloured flowering plant (the name of which I have absolutely no idea) and watched the bees going from flower to flower for a good few minutes. We didn’t reach forward, we just sat and watched and let the bees get on with their usual activities. They didn’t care that we were there.
Wasps and bees are very much alike in this regard. Left to their own devices they are highly unlikely to even appreciate that you’re there, let alone want to leave.
If your fear of mud daubers or that of other wasps is becoming overwhelming and you’re finding that you’re second-guessing your choices because of your fear of wasps or other insects, you have the power and opportunity to do something about it and to reshape your perceptions.
At Creature Courage, we offer a variety of treatments, including exposure therapy and self-help techniques, to help you overcome your fear. Don’t let spheksophobia limit your world – contact Creature Courage today and start your journey towards appreciating these fascinating insect sculptors!