![]() Careful watering and fertilizing of turf grass will produce lush growth that prevents the wasps from digging in the lawn. ![]() Tunnels can be blocked with garden geotextiles and covered in mulch if they are running through flower or perennial beds, but drenching the garden thoroughly with water when the burrows first appear is often enough to deter cicada killer wasps. If they are causing severe damage, such as smothering grass or destabilizing patios, knowing how to control cicada killer wasps is useful. ![]() Even so, many cicada killer wasps in an unused corner of the yard may not necessitate control. Controlling Cicada Killer WaspsĬontrol is rarely warranted for these enormous wasps because of their docile and solitary nature, but if you live in an area where cicada populations are high, your cicada killer wasp family may be willing to tolerate neighbors. Fortunately, there is only one generation of cicada wasp hunters each year, limiting the damage these insects can inflict. Lawns may be damaged by their digging, especially when tunnels are extensive and many pounds of soil are dumped above ground. It is because of these extensive tunnels, cicada wasps in the garden can spell disaster for transplants or plants with delicate root systems. Each tunnel can have up to 15 egg chambers that the female must stock with cicadas for her offspring to feed upon when they hatch. The entire egg-laying complex created by an individual cicada killer wasp is usually no more than 15 inches (38 cm.) below the surface, but tunnels may reach up to 70 inches (178 cm.) in length. This yellow banded wasp rarely bothers gardeners, but they can cause considerable damage to lawns and gardens while excavating the dens where they will lay their eggs.įemales do the digging, preferring sandy or loose soils for her ½ inch (1 cm.) wide tunnels. ![]() In a garden plagued by cicadas, these large wasps are both a blessing and a curse. What are Cicada Killer Wasps?Ĭicada killer wasps are a group of solitary wasps that feed on flower nectar while paralyzing live cicadas for their offspring. So exactly what are cicada killers wasps? Keep reading to learn more. Although they may give you a scare, cicada killer wasps are actually beneficial garden insects, only inflicting painful stings as a last resort. Their sinister buzzing and ¼ inch (6 mm.) long stingers are enough to make most gardeners turn and run from the 1 ½ to 2 inch (3-5 cm.) long cicada wasp hunters, commonly known as the cicada killer wasp ( Sphecius speciosus). ![]()
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