An In-Depth Dauber Stopper Review

**Our honesty policy: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are, some aren't--I do some comparison shopping. The important thing is you will know exactly what we are talking about. Drop a note/comment if you have any questions on the products as these are materials and tools we use on our own projects.

Mud Dauber nest versus Dauber Stopper: this Dauber Stopper review says the device looks better than the nest.

This Dauber Stopper review is specifically for you if you are looking for a solution to prevent mud dauber wasps from blocking your:

• Air conditioner backup condensate line
• Gas water heater blow off line
• Gas water heater drain pan line
• High efficiency clothes dryer backup condensate line

This Dauber Stopper review in one sentence:

Effective and reasonably priced, the Dauber Stopper can be installed in as little as 5 seconds (no joke–check the video below).

While the Dauber Stopper is obviously targeting mud daubers, it also effectively blocks other insects, small animals, reptiles and other debris from entering into your home through open drain lines.

Have you experienced the worst case scenario water damage claim from the result of a blocked drain line? While I’m not saying it will happen again, your home has higher odds to have something happen again if the source of the problem is not corrected–be it the insect population in the area, other kinds of factors dependent on your location or the setup of your home (as discussed in this article: Prevent Another Emergency Drain Line Clog!). A Dauber Stopper is a possible solution.

Goodness, that mud dauber nest is larger than the Dauber Stopper reducer which is sized to fit over a 3/4″ drain line.

Also, the Dauber Stopper is aptly named since a mud dauber nest is certainly more of a concern in your drain line than the wasp nest you see next to the hard mud nest:

What’s in the bag:

Contents of the Dauber Stopper

• 1 – The Dauber Stopper screen mesh.
• 1 – Flange
• 1 – Reducer for a standard 3/4 inch line
• 4 – Phillips head screws (painted white)

You provide: a pipe less than 1-1/2″ wide on the outside diameter and you are good to go!

Installing the Dauber Stopper

There are two ways to install the Dauber Stopper.

Installation Method #1:

The first method installs the cover directly over the pipe. A flange is attached on a soffit or exterior wall with the four screws.

This method is still effective even if you have a drain line coming through at an angle.

Installing the flange to attach the Dauber Stopper.

Line up the flange along the side of the drain line, pointing the crooked drain line into the Dauber Stopper mesh.

Or if your drain line is 1″ (the reducer method will only fit on a 3/4″ line, but Modern AC Products is looking into such a reducer).

If the condensate line is through stucco, you will have to pre-drill and use toggle bolt straps (like these) for the screw to seat properly.

Then, the screen screws onto the flange.

This flange can cover any size pipe with a diameter less than 1-1/2″ wide. The smallest part is the “mesh” cover.

As you can see with the Dauber Stopper screwed onto the flange, the Dauber Stopper mesh part is the limiting factor for drain line size.

The maximum measurement for the outside of any drain line for Dauber Stopper is 1-1/2″.

The width of the flange is 4″.

Fully screwed on, the Dauber Stopper and flange allows up to 4-1/4″ of pipe to extend into the protective PVC screen, although you don’t want the entire cylinder to be filled with the PVC drain.

If you use the flange the dauber stopper has the secondary benefit of effectively blocking any gaps surrounding the condensate line. Add a bead of silicone caulk when you set the flange in place the final time. This prevents insects or other smaller animals like snakes, geckos and lizards from setting up shop inside your siding or soffit.

Installation Method #2

The second installation method is a pressure fit reducer that slides over the 3/4″ PVC pipe coming out of your house. Exactly like the method above, the mesh screen screws onto the reducer. You do not need to shorten the existing PVC if this installation method is used.

The reducer has a stop line.

The stop is 3/4″ into the reducer so keep that in mind with regard to the drain line you have coming out of your soffit or wall.

This will stop the pipe from going too far as well as giving you a warm and fuzzy that it is on far enough for the pressure fit to hold.

The Dauber Stopper Pressure Fit Reducer

Obviously, you can only shove the drain line 3/4″ onto the reducer, but you can see the device will extend another 6″ into the space below the eave or outside you building’s exterior.

Both ways are simple and straightforward.

Other considerations for the Dauber Stopper.

• You can inspect the Dauber Stopper in your yearly maintenance. Simply unscrew the screen portion and wash out any buildup. Cleaning done!
• The Dauber Stopper is made in the USA and comes with a ten year guarantee.
• Don’t get one if you plan on painting it. The holes are small and paint–even spray paint–can block the holes. Embrace the white.

So how is the Dauber Stopper working for us?

This is clearly not one of those interactive technology devices you think about everyday. Installing this elegant invention is preventative insurance you never expect to need, but the Dauber Stopper is there quietly blocking the line 24/7.

No news is good news.

Nothing yet…

You can get one for yourself here.

For more reasons why you might want a Dauber Stopper: Prevent Another Emergency Drain Line Clog!

Want to see the Dauber Stopper in action? Check out the video here:

This post was in no way sponsored or solicited. Modern AC Products, the manufacturer of the Dauber Stopper, did give us this one to try out when we stopped by their booth at the Houston Home and Garden Show in October. Their director of sales and business development was upbeat and genuine at the end of what was a lower turnout for the event. You could feel the disappointing vibe in the air–and see the empty booths. But between this positive meeting and discovering the backstory, it makes me want to support a new company with a good product.

It is rare when you find someone who doesn’t want more business (in terms of calls of distress), and instead decides to do something positive to prevent ordinary homeowners like you and me from experiencing a costly heartache. I’m going to put it out there: compare a $100+ house call fee for a plumber to knock on your door versus a $20 preventative device? That $100 only goes up if there is repair work. Throw them a $20 for just being good guys–and you even get something back in return (a Dauber Stopper). That is some easy math and cheap insurance.

Good job, Modern AC Products!