CLOSED: Walnut shell sized hives?

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teensie10 Barnesville, OH Jul 26, 2009

Hello,
I was cleaning my damp, musty basement today and found several little things lying on the floor that are about the size of a walnut shell, but they are gray with lots of irregularly shaped holes in them. They seem too small to be bee hives, but they remind me of the look of a hive. They are very hard and difficult to break. I have seen spiders in the basement from time to time, but I am wondering what creature these shells might belong to so that I will know what to buy to get rid of them! My cat spends time in the basement and recently has had small crusty/welted areas on her - wondering if they are bites? Is it spiders, bees, what??
Thanks!

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Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 26, 2009

A picture would get you quicker id. Also put a coin next to the item, a size reference will be helpful.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 26, 2009

It is possible that these are dislodged nests of sphecid wasps known as mud daubers. many folks are familiar with those that construct 'organ pipe' like nests, but some also make nests that look more like blobs - see http://tinyurl.com/l8k6lp for an example.

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teensie10 Barnesville, OH Jul 26, 2009

Unfortunately, I threw all of them away before I found this forum, so I can't take a pic right now (without digging in the yukky trash), but if I find another, I will take a pic and post it. They don't look quite like the pic of the sphecid wasp nest, but more gray and "holey". I'll post a pic if I can get another one. Thanks for your replies!

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teensie10 Barnesville, OH Jul 26, 2009

Ah, now - looking at more pictures of mud daubers nests that I found on Google, maybe that IS it. They do look a lot like this pic that I found. I think you might be right Suunto!

Thumbnail by teensie10
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Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 26, 2009

Teensie...Hope you don't mind...
Suunto... Is this also one? I haven't checked it in a few days, it is underneath the deck.

Thumbnail by Sheila_FW
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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 26, 2009

Hello, Sheila - It could be, if it is constructed from mud/clay rather than wood pulp, which would have a papery texture.

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Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 27, 2009

Not gutsy enough to go close and feel, but I will see if I can get another picture tomorrow. Thanks

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Jul 27, 2009

sheila, i have those too. some daubers make nice, neat, smooth nests and then this guy comes along and just slap-dashes the mud on. they aren't very pretty.

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