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Author Topic:   Mud Dauber Wasps

GAwhale posted 08-31-2008 10:15 AM ET (US)
Every time I have taken my boat out this summer mud dauber wasps have built their mud nests around my motor and boat. Unfortunately the boat cover for my Montauk does not make a tight seal around the engine and it makes for a perfect place for them to fly in and build their nests.
To add insult to injury on one spot on my black Mercury engine cowl their are now fine scratches from where I cleaned off the Georgia red clay with out using adequate water.
I keep my boat at the lake (covered storage) and am only able to check on her every two or three weeks. I keep moth balls in the boat when stored. I am starting to think the mud daubers must enjoy the smell of moth balls.
Any idea on how to eliminate or at least keep these pesky guys off my boat would be greatly appreciated.
Is there a Montauk cover that seals tightly in back around the engine? I have had problems in the past with cats getting in my boat leaving a mess along with cat hair.
deepwater posted 08-31-2008 02:11 PM ET (US)
you could try an open can of mothballs but than the boat would smell or you can try a can full of rags soaked in flying wasp spray,,only poke 1 or 2 small holes in the can top to let out small amounts over a long time
cgodfrey posted 08-31-2008 04:17 PM ET (US)
You could get a commercial wasp/hornet trap or a sticky fly trap and just hang it near the stern.
How about a snug fitting Mercury engine cover and stuff the open spaces with some mosquito netting?
Mumbo Jumbo posted 08-31-2008 09:30 PM ET (US)
How about just ignoring them?
fishgutz posted 09-01-2008 10:17 AM ET (US)
Outsmarted by a bug.
David Pendleton posted 09-01-2008 02:40 PM ET (US)
How about an otter?
Sebash4 posted 09-02-2008 05:26 PM ET (US)
My problem with the dirt daubers is they build nest on my bimini top!! Any ideas how to stop them would be appreciated..Also, how about a cat urinating in the boat ?? Any ideas other than eliminating the cat ??
David Pendleton posted 09-02-2008 06:15 PM ET (US)
Critter Ridder will take care of your cat problem.
http://www.havahart.com/ourbrands/critter-ridder
As far as the wasps? Destroy their nests, I guess. I have the same issue with paper wasps under my gunwales and helm. When I find one, I remove it (or gas it if it is heavily occupied).
I don't think there's anything you could do to repel them before they nest.
At least Mud Daubers aren't particularly aggressive...
Sebash4 posted 09-02-2008 06:30 PM ET (US)
Thanks David, I'll be purchasing some Critter Ridder ASAP. You're right on the mud daubers, they are not aggresive, its just that their mud nest is kinda hard to remove.
deepwater posted 09-02-2008 07:58 PM ET (US)
try some spray silicone lube under the top and along the supports,,if its slippery they wont build a nest
Sebash4 posted 09-02-2008 08:18 PM ET (US)
Thanks Deepwater, I'll try it.
contender posted 09-03-2008 07:21 PM ET (US)
Seabash4 another way to keep cats out of your boat is to spread bird seed around it, The birds will dive bomb the cats. The only problem with that is you will end up with bird crap on your bimini top. But you could always purchase a bird dog to bark at the birds as they fly in, but then you will have a yard full of crap from the dog. However with a dog you will have a friend for life and a boating partner...good luck
Sebash4 posted 09-03-2008 07:42 PM ET (US)
Contender,
All excellent suggestions :-)
Thanks for the humor, I love it !!
GAwhale posted 09-05-2008 01:45 PM ET (US)
I went by my local ACE Hardware store today. They sold me a HOT SHOT No-Pest Strip for $7.99. It is supposed to kill flying and crawling insects for four months.
Unfortunately I will not be able to make it down to West Point Lake where my boat is stored for one or two weeks. I am sure there will be several new mud nests by the time I install it.
I will let you all know how it works. The mud daubers never seem to be a problem when the cold weather approaches so I might be too late for this season.

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Author	Topic: Mud Dauber Wasps
GAwhale	posted 08-31-2008 10:15 AM ET (US) Every time I have taken my boat out this summer mud dauber wasps have built their mud nests around my motor and boat. Unfortunately the boat cover for my Montauk does not make a tight seal around the engine and it makes for a perfect place for them to fly in and build their nests. To add insult to injury on one spot on my black Mercury engine cowl their are now fine scratches from where I cleaned off the Georgia red clay with out using adequate water. I keep my boat at the lake (covered storage) and am only able to check on her every two or three weeks. I keep moth balls in the boat when stored. I am starting to think the mud daubers must enjoy the smell of moth balls. Any idea on how to eliminate or at least keep these pesky guys off my boat would be greatly appreciated. Is there a Montauk cover that seals tightly in back around the engine? I have had problems in the past with cats getting in my boat leaving a mess along with cat hair.
deepwater	posted 08-31-2008 02:11 PM ET (US) you could try an open can of mothballs but than the boat would smell or you can try a can full of rags soaked in flying wasp spray,,only poke 1 or 2 small holes in the can top to let out small amounts over a long time
cgodfrey	posted 08-31-2008 04:17 PM ET (US) You could get a commercial wasp/hornet trap or a sticky fly trap and just hang it near the stern. How about a snug fitting Mercury engine cover and stuff the open spaces with some mosquito netting?
Mumbo Jumbo	posted 08-31-2008 09:30 PM ET (US) How about just ignoring them?
fishgutz	posted 09-01-2008 10:17 AM ET (US) Outsmarted by a bug.
David Pendleton	posted 09-01-2008 02:40 PM ET (US) How about an otter?
Sebash4	posted 09-02-2008 05:26 PM ET (US) My problem with the dirt daubers is they build nest on my bimini top!! Any ideas how to stop them would be appreciated..Also, how about a cat urinating in the boat ?? Any ideas other than eliminating the cat ??
David Pendleton	posted 09-02-2008 06:15 PM ET (US) Critter Ridder will take care of your cat problem. http://www.havahart.com/ourbrands/critter-ridder As far as the wasps? Destroy their nests, I guess. I have the same issue with paper wasps under my gunwales and helm. When I find one, I remove it (or gas it if it is heavily occupied). I don't think there's anything you could do to repel them before they nest. At least Mud Daubers aren't particularly aggressive...
Sebash4	posted 09-02-2008 06:30 PM ET (US) Thanks David, I'll be purchasing some Critter Ridder ASAP. You're right on the mud daubers, they are not aggresive, its just that their mud nest is kinda hard to remove.
deepwater	posted 09-02-2008 07:58 PM ET (US) try some spray silicone lube under the top and along the supports,,if its slippery they wont build a nest
Sebash4	posted 09-02-2008 08:18 PM ET (US) Thanks Deepwater, I'll try it.
contender	posted 09-03-2008 07:21 PM ET (US) Seabash4 another way to keep cats out of your boat is to spread bird seed around it, The birds will dive bomb the cats. The only problem with that is you will end up with bird crap on your bimini top. But you could always purchase a bird dog to bark at the birds as they fly in, but then you will have a yard full of crap from the dog. However with a dog you will have a friend for life and a boating partner...good luck
Sebash4	posted 09-03-2008 07:42 PM ET (US) Contender, All excellent suggestions :-) Thanks for the humor, I love it !!
GAwhale	posted 09-05-2008 01:45 PM ET (US) I went by my local ACE Hardware store today. They sold me a HOT SHOT No-Pest Strip for $7.99. It is supposed to kill flying and crawling insects for four months. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it down to West Point Lake where my boat is stored for one or two weeks. I am sure there will be several new mud nests by the time I install it. I will let you all know how it works. The mud daubers never seem to be a problem when the cold weather approaches so I might be too late for this season.