Home >> Hobbies >> Aviation

How to Remove Mud Wasps in Airplanes

Mud wasps, also known as mud daubers or mud dauber wasps, are a type of stinging insect. The insects are named for the distinctive type of nests they build, which they make from mud. Mud daubers typically construct their nests in secluded areas. Although these wasps are considered a beneficial species their nests can cause a hazard to airplane operations by blocking an airplane's stall warning horns, static ports and air intakes. Fortunately, you can locate mud daubers and their nests during an aircraft preflight.

Things You'll Need

Flashlight

Instructions

- 1
  Enter the airplane's cockpit and perform a brief pitot-static instrument check. Make sure your airspeed indicator and vertical speed indicator read zero. If they do not, your pitot tube or static ports may be blocked.
- 2
  Use your flashlight to inspect your airplane's stall warning horn, pitot tube, static ports and air intakes for mud daubers or their nests. Typically, the nests will be plainly visible in the holes.
- 3
  Inspect your aircraft's engine compartment for mud daubers or their nests. Use your flashlight to search every nook inside the engine compartment. Run your fingers in between the cylinder heads to ensure they are free of wasps or wasp nests.

Aviation