Cicada Killer Wasps
Cicada Killer Wasps, or Cicada Killers, are a large wasp species common to North Carolina from July through September. Their size can make them particularly intimidating, and we hear an uptick in requests to remove them year after year. However, they pose very little, if any, threat to humans.
How do I Identify Cicada Killers?
In the warmer months, female Cicada Killers will burrow into the dirt and create a system of tunnels underground. They prefer sandy, dry patches in sunlight, with close proximity to bushes or trees where Cicadas are likely to be found. You will be able to identify a burrow by locating a single hole in a patch of dry or sandy soil, that may have a visible mound of excess dirt surrounding it. Unlike yellow jacket burrows, Cicada Killers live in solitude, and you will not see several wasps flying in and out of a single burrow (though there may be several burrows in your yard). Ground bees are also solitary, but you are more likely to see them in spring or early summer. The easiest way to identify a Cicada Killer is to look for it’s distinct coloring (a dark abdomen with three yellow bands) and large size (about 1 - 2 inches in length).
Will Cicada Killers sting?
Cicada Killers have no real reason to sting you unless they are provoked. Males are incapable of stinging altogether, though you may see them “defending” a burrow by aggressively flying towards a perceived threat. Females can pass on a painful sting, but it is very rare that they would do so. They really do prefer to stick with cicadas and let humans be.
Will Cicada Killers cause harm to my yard?
Quite the opposite, they are considered beneficial bugs to have around. The adults act as pollinators, and keep young cicada populations at bay by feeding them to the wasp larvae. This in turn helps to better preserve trees and other vegetation around your home from cicada damage. Large tunnel systems built by Cicada Killers could cause damage to nearby vegetation, but this is less common and usually has a minimal effect, if any.
Can I get rid of Cicada Killers?
We get requests for removal every year, but we encourage our customers to let these wasps be due to their environmental benefit. We do understand they can be a nuisance, especially in large numbers, and there are treatments we can apply if need be. These are not always 100% effective, and may cause damage to other beneficial bugs in your yard. You may see DIY treatment online, such as soaking the area or plugging the entrance to a burrow, but these methods don’t do much against the larvae already deep inside the tunnel system, and they will eventually hatch. Cicada Killers do prefer bare spots of dirt, sand, or dry soil, so planting extra vegetation or working with a turf professional to boost the growth of your lawn is a more sustainable way to manage these particular wasps.
Email info@tlgturfcare.com for further questions and information.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
NCSU Extension, Cicada Killer Wasps in Turf, https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/insects/cicada-killer-wasps-in-turf/
NCSU Extension, Cicada Killer Wasp, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/cicada-killer-wasp