Stinging insects like wasps are a common concern for homeowners in the summer months. It seems they are always building a nest in the worst possible places. When dealing with cicada killer wasps, you may notice that they are damaging the areas they want to build their nests. Cicada killer wasps are a nuisance when they decide to burrow on your property. A-Tex Pest Management is here to share some characteristics of cicada wasps and help you identify them.
Cicada Killer Wasp Identification
Cicada killer wasps are usually easy to identify because of their size. They are the biggest wasps of their species and can grow to be almost two inches long. Although these wasps are large and may look intimidating, they don’t pose a large risk to humans. Female cicada wasps have a noticeable stinger and will use it if they feel threatened by you.
Cicada Killer Wasp Behavior
Cicada killer wasps feed on cicadas, just like their name implies. They build a nest underground and will sting the cicada, paralyzing it, and dragging the insect to the nest where their larvae will feed off of it. They will be very focused on this effort and won’t pay much attention to humans unless they are provoked. Male cicada wasps aren’t even equipped with a stinger. Their size can be so intimidating that it can be easy to forget this fact.
Cicada Killer Wasp Nests
Cicada killer wasps will remove several pounds of dirt in an effort to build their underground nests. In this case, they can cause extensive damage to gardens and even walkways. If you have a walkway or patio that is made out of pavers, they could loosen them as they build nests. When this happens, you will want to have the cicada killer wasps treated to avoid damage to your property. When they dig in your garden, they can disrupt root growth and kill your crops. One way to avoid cicada killer wasps in your garden is to make sure the ground is properly saturated with water. These wasps don’t like to build their nests in moist soil.
Cicada Killer Wasps Can Be a Threat to Pets
Sometimes pets are attracted to the loud buzzing of the cicada killer wasps. Unfortunately, if they pick a fight with a female cicada killer wasp, they will most likely get stung. At times, they can sting inside your pet’s mouth and this can cause considerable pain for your animal. Many pets are allergic to wasp stings and can have life-threatening reactions to wasp stings. If you have pets and find cicada killer wasps on your property, it is important to get rid of them.
Stinging Insect Inspections, Control & Removal in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
To avoid any risk of stings, when you find a cicada killer nest near your home, call a professional pest control company like A-Tex Pest Management to remove it for you. Our technicians have been trained to safely remove a nest and eliminate the danger of painful stings and the risk of property damage. Call us today!