Do cicada killer wasps in Levittown live up to their somewhat bloodthirsty name? In general, they do not.
This species is among the most docile of all wasps. Because they are not nearly as territorial or quick to attack as yellow jackets and other wasps, they are not as dangerous as these other species. Nonetheless, the cicada killer wasp is the largest such insect in the region. This makes them appear frightening even though they will not sting unless people molest them.
Only the female cicada killer wasp is equipped with a stinger, but both genders are prone to occasionally flying around in an aggressive manner, especially when in the vicinity of their young. Even if the female does sting, it generally is not terribly painful.
Accordingly, the typical behavior of the cicada killer is not threatening. Still, they will cause a huge mess in landscaping if they are not evicted from the premises. This is enough for most people to call in a pest management professional at the first sign of a problem.
WHAT DO
CICADA KILLER
WASPS LOOK LIKE?
Full-grown female cicada killer wasps grow to as long as two inches. Males are about half that size, but that is still quite large. Their unusual size makes cicada killer wasps pretty easy to identify. Other distinguishing characteristics include the black and yellow striped abdomen, which is situated behind the insect's minuscule waist. The legs may be pale red or orange as is the head while the wings are brown. Most wasp wings fold along the sides of the body when at rest, but the cicada killer wasp's wings stick straight out to the sides.
WHERE DO
CICADA KILLER
WASPS LIVE?
Wherever there is well-drained, light-textured soil, cicada killer wasps will build their underground nests. In general, the female prefers to place her nest in full sunlight, though it is helpful if trees are nearby as this is where cicadas will be found.
Frequently, cicada killer wasps locate their nests next to sidewalks, patios, parking lots and driveways. Gardens and lawns, especially if the grass is sparse and stressed, also are likely places for these pests to nest. The female cicada killer wasp digs into the soil, sometimes excavating 100 cubic inches of dirt. All of that excavated dirt may smother plants and grass as well as causing an unsightly mess.
When living habitat is optimum, it is not unusual to see several otherwise solitary cicada killer wasps settling in the same territory, multiplying the associated problems.
WHAT DO
CICADA KILLER
WASPS EAT?
These wasps may kill cicadas, but the adults do not eat them. Instead, adults of the species eat only fermented sap that they collect from trees as well as flower nectar.
Cicadas are hunted to feed the wasp's young. To do so, the female strikes and stuns the other insect, which makes the prey fall to the ground. With its stinger, the cicada killer wasp paralyzes the cicada, and then drags it up a nearby tree or plant. The wasp juggles the cicada until she is holding it upside down. She straddles her prey to fly it back to her nest.
The cicada is dragged into the underground tunnel to a nesting chamber. The female deposits an egg on the cicada's legs before sealing the chamber. Hatching occurs just days after the egg is laid, and the young immediately begins eating the cicada. Winter is spent in a cocoon before the adult cicada killer wasp digs out of the burrow the following spring.
Treatments by a pest management technician are focused on breaking the reproductive cycle by treating the entrance to each burrow.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY
CICADA KILLER
WASPS
Maintaining healthy, attractive landscaping in residential and commercial settings is impossible when cicada killer wasps invade. It is true that these pests do not bother with causing structural damage to buildings, but they can tear up patches of lawn or entire gardens with shocking speed.
It also is worth considering how uncomfortable most people are when cicada killer wasps are in the vicinity. This is mainly attributed to their large size and their occasional tendency to fly around aggressively when close to their nesting area.
ARE
CICADA KILLER
WASPS AGGRESSIVE?
These gentle giants are extremely unlikely to sting unless provoked. Exceptions may occur when a person goes out of their way to touch or handle a cicada killer wasp. This means that it is sensible to leave the pest to go about its business. However, a Levittown pest control company can handle the problem without risk to anyone.
DO
CICADA KILLER
WASPS CARRY DISEASE?
The cicada killer wasp does not spread pathogens when it stings a person, and even the sting is not particularly painful. Many victims describe it as being about as painful as being scratched by a pin. Recovering from such a sting usually only takes a day or two.
Occasionally, someone who is stung by a cicada killer wasp has a more severe reaction involving swelling, excessive warmth at the sting site and redness. A large local reaction may bring about symptoms such as nausea and fatigue.
Anyone who is allergic to bee or wasp stings may have a more dangerous reaction with hives, overall flushing of the skin and problems with breathing. The most serious of these reactions may put the victim's life in jeopardy.
HOW TO DETECT
CICADA KILLER
WASPS
Signs of a cicada killer wasp presence include:
• Large insects routinely flying around the premises • Gardens and lawns are torn up with burrows and piles of soil
HOW TO PREVENT
CICADA KILLER
WASPS
To help prevent cicada killer wasp problems the following steps should be taken:
• Control the cicada population through pest control treatments • Ensure that garden beds are covered with mulch • Use garden geotextiles to block the openings to cicada killer wasp burrows • When pest burrows appear, drench the area with water • Overseed lawns to ensure thriving growth • Use the lawn mower's highest setting
HOW WE TREAT FOR
CICADA KILLER
WASPS
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use a multi-faceted approach for treating hornets and wasps that have become problematic for area homes and businesses. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatments methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps and hornets.
