The Cicada Killer Wasp is on the up-rise, more and more people report them each year. They seem to start up the end of June and are prevalent all through July.
Large, 2”-3” body and wingspan, these orange and black wasps are very scary and intimidating.
5 Things to know about these unique wasps:
- Only the females have stingers and are typically docile and non threatening. Most stings happen by accident or when attempting to handle
- Males do not have stingers and protect the nesting site all day long, feeding on nectar.
- Females seek out and kill the large Cicada that damage trees. The drag the dead Cicada back to their nest, impregnate them with an egg. As the larvae grow they feed on the Cicada, and the cycle continues.
- There is only one wasp per nesting site/hole. These are very large holes the size of your thumb and usually a large mound of sandy type soil is present. Burrows can go 18”-20” or more deep underground.
- These wasps are considered beneficial as the control the damaging Cicada. In cases of large amounts of wasps nests in a high traffic area of you home and when threat to your comfort or health is at risk, then these wasps should be controlled.
Contact All County for more information, and how we can help protect your family and home.