Cicadas are a pest that is being talked about a lot this year as they have emerged in many parts of the country for the first time in years. However, there is another pest with a similar name that is also a cause for concern for Plano, Texas property owners.
Cicada killers are a species of large digger wasps, and they are often known by the name cicada hawks as well. However, unlike many other wasp species in the area, cicada killers are solitary and don’t live together in a large hive or nest. And, while they do eat nectar just like other stinging insects like bees and wasps, the females of the species are known for hunting cicadas. They feed the cicadas to their young.
These wasps can get to be three inches long and can range in color from black to dull red with yellow and black stripes on their abdomens. They are usually seen flying close to the ground as the female of the species makes burrows in the grass or soil to lay her eggs.
While cicada killers are generally less aggressive than some other species around, they can still be dangerous because of their ability to sting and inject venom. In this article, you’ll get all the helpful tips you need on how to prevent them.
Are Cicada Killers Harmless?
While cicada killers aren’t harmless, they aren’t as much of a concern as many other stinging insects in the area. It’s only the female of the species that has a stinger, and they usually don’t try to attack humans unless they feel threatened. Also, while some wasp species will sting together in groups, cicada killers are less of a concern because they are loners.
Cicada killers can also play an important role in the population control of cicadas which makes them useful for the environment. However, while they aren’t as dangerous as some species, they can still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it’s best to avoid being stung.
Six Cicada Killer Prevention Steps
Because cicada killers can be dangerous in some cases, and because they are frustrating to deal with around your property, it's best to take steps to deter them. Generally, the best way to keep these wasps away is to focus on removing or reducing the factors around your yard that attract them. And, these steps can also help prevent other wasps species, too.
- Avoid overplanting flowering varieties of plants.
- One tip specific to cicadas killers is to make sure you keep your lawn watered and maintained as they tend to build nests in dry soil.
- If you’re eating outside, don’t leave sugary drinks and snacks in the open, and clean up any spills right away.
- Cover trash cans with lids and remove trash from around your yard.
- Fertilizing your grass may also help deter cicada killers from building nests in the ground.
- Get help from pest control experts.
The Simplest Way To Control Cicada Killers
While it is always helpful to take wasp prevention steps on our own, the easiest and most effective way to deter and remove cicada killers is with help from the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite.
We are focused on providing exemplary, reliable pest control to protect you from all kinds of nuisance and dangerous pests, and our wasp control services will eradicate and deter cicada killers as well as other common species in Plano, Texas.
To get started, you can call us to request a free estimate or learn more about our residential and commercial pest control plans.