Killer whale, killer bee, cicada killer: any animal with “killer” in the name is bound to evoke fear. You might be wondering, are cicada killers dangerous to humans, or just cicadas? What do you need to know about this fearsome-looking insect?
Keep reading to learn more about the cicada killer!
What Are Cicada Killers?
Cicada killers are large wasps, nearly two inches in length. They look somewhat like super-sized versions of yellow jackets or hornets. Cicada killers have segmented, multi-colored bodies: reddish-brown at the head and thorax and black with yellow stripes at the abdomen. The wings are a translucent brown color. Like all wasps, they have two antennae and six legs. The female of the species is slightly larger than the male.
The cicada killer—like its name suggests—hunts cicadas. (Interestingly, this wasp hunts cicadas only for its young; adult cicada killers actually prefer a diet of plant nectar.) Female cicada killers dig small burrows in loose soil, where they lay their eggs. They catch cicadas by stinging and paralyzing them, then bring them to the burrows to feed to their young. Male cicada killers, however, do not have a stinger; their role is to guard the burrow.
These insects typically choose to dig their burrows in areas that are well-drained, with light-textured soil, in full sunlight, and near trees with cicadas in them. This can include places like flower beds, patio edges, sidewalk edges, and lawns.
Unlike other kinds of stinging insects (including honey bees and paper wasps), cicada killers are solitary creatures. They don’t live in colonies or nest together. However, numerous insects may create burrows near each other, giving the uninformed homeowner the illusion that the cicada killers are operating as a swarm.
Should You Be Afraid of Cicada Killers?
Understandably, a lot of people are afraid of cicada killers. After all, they’re huge and kind of scary-looking!
The good news is that cicada killers are mostly harmless. While male cicada killers might fly near you or even dive-bomb you, they can’t sting you. They’re only trying to scare you into going away. Female cicada killers, though they have a stinger, don’t guard the burrow. (They’re too busy finding food.) The female only stings if it is mishandled. As a result, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be stung by a cicada killer.
Cicada killers also have an important environmental benefit: they kill the annoying cicadas taking up residence in your backyard! If you can stay out of each other’s way, it’s often possible to coexist peacefully with cicada killers on your property.
Still, there are some situations when you might want to remove cicada killers. For example, the insects might be destroying your garden and loosening paver stones with their burrows, scaring your children, or stinging your pets. (Some pets like to catch and eat cicada killers, resulting in painful and even dangerous stings.)
If this is the case for you, it’s best to make the area inhospitable to the insects. Cicada killers don’t like wet or compact soil, so keep your garden well-irrigated. Also consider planting grass or other plants as ground cover. Increase the blade height of your mower, as well.
Of course, if you’re not sure how to go about getting rid of cicada killers—or any other stinging insect—it’s a good idea to bring in the professionals.
We’re Here to Help
Contact Scherzinger Pest Control, a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.
