How To Get Rid Of Cicada Killer Wasps
If you have an active cicada killer wasp (ground digger wasp) infestation, follow these guidelines to learn how to get rid of cicada killer wasps, and the best products for cicada killer wasp treatment.
Cicada Killer Wasps (Sphecius speciosus) are solitary wasps and appear during the summer months. The Cicada Killer Wasp appears in all states east of the Rocky Mountains (related species of Sphecius are found west of the Rocky Mountains). Cicada Killers are also known as digger wasps. These wasps are large and can be intimidating, but are not aggressive like other wasps like yellow jackets in the social wasp category. They pollinate plants and are considered beneficial.
The adult Cicada killers feed on flower nectar. Cicada Killer Wasps do not defend their nests like yellow jackets, which are social wasps.
Cicada Killer Species in the Americas
- Sphecius speciosus (Eastern Cicada Killer)-Found in Ontario, Canada, the U.S.A. Mexico and parts of Central America.
- Sphecius convallis (Pacific Cicada Killer) -Found in the U.S.A. and Mexico.
- Sphecius grandis (Western Cicada Killer) - Found in the U.S.A. Mexico and parts of Central America.
- Sphecius hogardii (Caribbean Cicada Killer)- Found in Florida and Caribbean countries.
- Sphecius spectabilis -Found in South America.
Cicada Killer Appearance
Cicada Killer can be up to 1.5 inches long; males are a little smaller than females. It has a black abdomen with yellow markings and an orange tint to the wings.Cicada Killer Wasps are often confused as hornets or European wasps. Cicada killers may look like European hornets or Bald-faced hornets, but an overall color pattern, size, and shape differ.
Cicada Killer Wasp Diet and Habits
The Cicada Killer Wasps will gravitate towards flowers, feeding on flower nectar. These wasps dig holes or burrows, preferably in soft, sandy, and well-drained soil.They may be found on sloped terrains, flower beds, patio edges or sidewalks, and in the yard. The Cicada Killer Wasp stings Cicada (locusts) to paralyze them and feed them to the larvae.Many of the developing larvae may come out as adults the following year, so the numbers increase year by year.
It is important to prevent and stop this cycle by using an insecticide granule.
A pile of soil is typically found at the entrance of the burrow made by Cicada Killers. As much as 100 cubic inches of soil is brought to the surface as they make the tunnels/burrows.
A female will dig a burrow that can be up to 10 inches deep and extend another 6 inches horizontally. The female Cicada Killers hunt for cicadas on the lower limbs of trees and tree trunks. The female will sting it and carry or drag it to the burrow.
Do Cicada Killers Sting?
The female Cicada Killer Wasp is equipped to sting and eject venom into cicadas to feed them to their larvae.
They will only sting if caught in clothing are caught by your bare hands. They are content with simply digging their holes and hunting for cicadas.
The male Cicada Killers are smaller and will aggressively defend their territory from other intruding males.
- A few days to a couple of weeks, the female Cicada Killer will drag the paralyzed cicadas. The larvae will consume the live cicadas.
- A burrow may have up to 20 cells with 1-2 cicadas and one egg per cell.
- The egg hatches into larvae to feed on the Cicada.
- The larvae spin a cocoon afterward and enter a dormancy through the winter(overwinter) and pupate the following spring.
Key Takeaway
Adults will be gone in a few weeks. Focus treatment on the soil in and around the burrows to eliminate the larvae.
Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps
Recommended Insecticides
- If you notice new holes or a developing nest, you can try applying Tempo Dust to the holes' entrance. When the holes are new, you still have the potential to kill the larvae and adults.
- A more permanent and preventative method would be to apply Bifen LP Granules over the whole area and water it. The Bifen LP Granules would not yield immediate results but stop them from returning the following year.
Cicada Killer Prevention
Mechanical Prevention
Since Cicada Killer Wasps prefer digging to create their nests in bare soil or areas with thin sparse vegetation, maintaining the health and vigor of the turf can be a very important factor in discouraging their nest building.
Insecticidal Prevention
An effective preventative method is to apply Bifen LP Granules over the area where the nests are being dug, and water them in. The Bifen LP Granules do not yield immediate results but by killing the Cicada Killer Wasp larvae, stop them from returning the following year.
Written by our resident pest control expert Ken Martin.