You know the dog days of summer are here when you begin to hear the constant hum of the cicadas in the evenings. Their loud droning is impossible to ignore. Someone else is hearing it too — the cicada wasp killer, a large, black and yellow striped wasp that preys upon the noisy cicadas. When the female cicada wasp killer finds a cicada, she parasitizes it with a sting and then carries it to her nest. Inside the nest, the cicada killer provisions her laid eggs with the parasitized cicada that will become the larva’s first meal, once it’s emerged from its egg.
Cicada wasp killer are most often seen in mid- to late-July and early-August when homeowners notice huge wasps burrowing in the yard. It is most likely a female cicada killer preparing a nest in the ground to lay her eggs. They prefer dry, sandy types of soils for building their nests. Yards that have favorable nesting sites can become peppered by these burrows and mounds of dirt. To discourage the nesting, homeowners should water the lawn to keep it moist.
Cicada Killer Wasp
Are cicada killers dangerous?
Will cicada killers harm pets?
Can cicada killers cause damage?
Can cicada killer wasps be controlled?
An estimated 40% of the developing larvae (a dozen or more per tunnel) may emerge as adults the following year so numbers can increase rapidly. With this in mind, it is surely important to address the issue instead of leaving it untreated. Cicada killers can be very territorial as they buzz about their burrow openings and, because of their large size; people are easily frightened by them. It is rare to be stung by a cicada wasp killer, but leave the wasp extermination to a professional! Serving Albany and Clifton Park along with the entire Capital Region, Thomas Pest Services trained professionals will effectively treat cicada wasp killer around your property. Learn more about stinging insects and bee removal services in Albany or contact us today!
Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture