Potter Wasps and Clay Pots on Your Walls: Harmless or Not?

Tiny clay pots stuck to walls or plants are the work of potter wasps.

The short answer

Potter wasps are solitary, rarely aggressive and use the clay pots as nurseries stocked with caterpillars. They are mostly harmless. Leave them or scrape off old pots. Seal gaps if they keep returning.

Facts

• Small, solitary wasps.
• Pots hold eggs and prey.

Options

• Leave them in place.
• Scrape off empty pots.
• Seal gaps.

When to call a professional

If the problem is widespread, keeps returning or you are unsure what you are dealing with, a professional inspection will save time and avoid wasted effort.

Frequently asked questions

Do they sting?

Rarely.

Are they useful?

They control caterpillars.

Do pots damage walls?

Mildly.

Do they build hives?

No.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on bee and wasp control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full bee and wasp control guide for Bangalore.