Cicada killers are large wasps that are commonly found outdoors around residential properties. They create holes that tunnel into the ground, taking preference for dry, sandy soil in places such as patches of grass and dry dirt around the yard. Their presence can be alarming due to their large size, but they are not harmful to humans or pets unless disturbed.
Cicada killers are beneficial to our environment as they reduce the cicada population, lessening the harm and damage done to nearby vegetation. If you believe that you are seeing cicada killers or holes in your yard, read below to learn more about their identification, habits, and behaviors, and what you can do.
What is a Cicada Killer?
Cicada killers may look very imposing because of their large size, but unlike other wasps, they rarely sting humans unless they are provoked or threatened. Male cicada killers don’t even have stingers! They are black and yellow in color and have orange-brown legs. Cicada killers are solitary wasps, so each female cicada killer will make her own burrow in either bare ground or sparse grass to lay her eggs.
As adults, they eat flower nectar, but the females hunt and paralyze cicadas to provide food for the immature cicada killers over the Winter. Cicada killers will often return to the same places year after year because the conditions are favorable.
What Does a Cicada Killer Look Like?
- Size: Adult cicada killers are typically one to two inches in length. Their size relative to other wasps is very large, which is usually why people are afraid of them. Cicadas themselves range between ¾-2 inches in length, which is very similar to the cicada killer. The paralyzing venom of a cicada killer allows them to catch a cicada mid-air and carry it to their nest to eat.
- Color: Cicada killers are big wasps with orange wings and a black body marked with horizontal yellow bands. Their unique coloring sets them aside from other flying pests that nest in the ground.
- Activity: Cicadas congregate in bushes and trees around residential homes, which attracts cicada killers. The females search tree trunks and lower limbs for cicadas. The wasp then stings its prey and drags it or glides with it to the burrow. There on average, each nest consists of 15 egg-shaped side chambers, each containing an egg as well as one to three paralyzed cicadas. Depending on the number of cicadas in its cell, the larva feeds for four to ten days until only the cicada's outer shell remains. During the fall, the larva spins a silken case, shrinks, and prepares to overwinter. Only one generation occurs each year.
How Can I Tell if I Have Cicada Killers?
Cicada killers are commonly misidentified as other flying insects that nest in the ground such as yellow jackets and ground bees. They create a series of tunnels in the ground marked by a hill of dirt with a hole in the center, similar to yellow jackets and ground bees. The hole serves as an entry point for the female cicada killer to access her nest and tend to her larvae.
Cicada killers prefer dry, sandy soil in exposed sunlight, making suburban homes a perfect breeding ground. Common places for cicada killer holes are dry patches in your lawn where dirt may be exposed, under bushes, or within the dirt between your lawn and sidewalk. They make their appearance in the late summer months of July and August, making audible buzzing and visible free-flying.
Are Cicada Killers Dangerous?
Cicada killers are not harmful to humans unless provoked. They generally do not have an interest in humans and are not motivated to sting them. Cicada killers are what are called “solitary wasps,” meaning that they don’t live in large numbers within a single nest like many “social wasps” such as yellow jackets. Only one female lives within each hole without a male so there is no innate need to protect a queen.
Cicada killers are beneficial insects and in most instances will not sting humans. They can cause a small bit of damage to lawns and flowerbeds where their burrows leave small mounds of dirt and holes up to 1 inch in diameter. In general, cicada killers are good insects to have around because they reduce the cicada population, which results in less plant damage. However, they look very intimidating and the males can seem aggressive despite the fact that they cannot sting. Their stinger is solely used to paralyze their prey. Due to their frightening appearance, many people do not want them on their property.
Why Do I Have Cicada Killers?
Cicada killers are looking for cicada populations to feed on. If you have cicadas living in the bushes around your home, cicada killers will likely follow. Cicada killers are attracted to sparse lawns and bare, dry soil, so they will make nests on your property in areas that fit these criteria. Their nests are dug into the ground in areas such as along sidewalks, on your lawn, within flower beds, and in gardens. Their tunnels serve the purpose of laying larvae and dragging cicadas down to feed on.
How Do I Get Rid of Cicada Killers?
It is difficult to completely eliminate cicada killer activity, but chemical treatments to their holes will help to reduce the activity of the females. Having a dense lawn and dense coverage in planters, in addition to letting grass grow a bit taller in July and August will help deter cicada killers.
What Do It Yourself (DIY) Options Are Available?
Maintain a dense lawn and planters with little or no bare ground and allow grass to grow a bit longer in the mid to late summer. This will make your property less desirable as a location for female cicada killers to burrow.
Cooper Pest Solutions does not suggest that you attempt to treat cicada killer activity on your own. Without professional pest control intervention, it is most likely that the infestation will persist. Prevention is the key to avoiding cicada killer populations at your home. Let the grass in your yard grow a little bit longer in July and August when cicada killers are most likely to invade. Perform visual inspections on a regular basis, looking out for their holes.
How Can I Prevent Cicada Killers in the Future?
The best way to prevent cicada killers is to have a well-maintained lawn with no areas of bare soil since it is bare soil that is attractive to them. Allowing your lawn to grow a bit longer in July and August will also help to deter cicada killers.
Is Cicada Killer Treatment Environmentally Friendly?
Many eco-friendly options are available for controlling cicada killers. In addition, all products used by Cooper Pest Solutions are EPA-registered for pest control use. Our highly trained pest control professionals will follow all appropriate label requirements to keep pets and humans safe.
What Cicada Killer Control Service Options Are Available?
Our Cicada Killer Service
Call us today for more information and to schedule service!