Most homeowners see wasps and immediately rush for insecticides. However, gardeners realize wasps are often beneficial predators for many garden pests, including tomato and tobacco hornworms. Cicada killer wasps are specifically named for their life’s work — using cicadas as the food of choice for their developing eggs. Your local Grimes pest control team wants to share information on these giants in the wasp world.
They’re Not Murder Hornets
First, you need to learn to identify what most people fear: murder hornets (Asian giant hornets), which are sometimes confused with cicada killer wasps because of their size.
While both murder hornets and cicada killer wasps are large (almost 2”), murder hornets are slightly larger. This may not come in handy when you see such a large insect flying close to you, but their coloration will. Murder hornets are bright orange with black stripes, while cicada killer wasps have a yellow body with black stripes. While murder hornets definitely need to be eradicated by a professional, cicada killer wasps want nothing to do with you.
Non-Stinging Males
Most of the cicada killer wasps you will see are aggressive, non-stinging males. They appear in early spring and might actually fly menacingly at you. According to Justin Schmidt of the University of Arizona and creator of the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, the female cicada killer wasp sting is similar to a pinprick while the male only looks dangerous; his sting is nonexistent.
Hunter Females
The life of the female cicada killer wasp is simple and straightforward: they emerge in mid-July at the time cicadas peak, mate, find a cicada, paralyze the cicada, carry the extremely heavy cicada to an underground nest (often using physics to glide with this gargantuan payload tucked beneath her), deposit the cicada into her nest, lay an egg on the cicada, cover the hole, and repeat the process up to 30 times before her 6-week life ends.
Mild Stings, if Any
While cicada killer wasps are considered solitary wasps, during mating season their numbers may become troublesome. Females will sting if handled or stepped on, but, again, the sting is extremely mild. Knowledge is power in this case. If you encounter a cicada killer wasp, grab your phone and take a picture rather than the can of insecticide. Learn to identify these enormous natural predators by using a free app such as iNaturalist.
As with any swarming insect, if you wish to seek professional help, you should contact your Grimes pest control heroes at Pro-Staff. Call us at 515 279-PEST (7378) and we will be happy to investigate your home and yard and take care of your pest control needs.