Pest of the Month - Cicada Killer

• Large solitary wasps measuring 1 -9/16 inches in length.
• Gets their name from its use of Cicada’s as food for their young.
• Many may fly together over a particular area/burrow but they do not nest together. Each female digs her own burrows up to 10 inches deep and extend 6 inches horizontally.
• Burrows have dirt piles up at their entrances.
• The Cicada killer locates a cicada, paralyzes it and brings it back to the burrow. It is placed in the burrow with one deposited egg.
• The wasp larvae feed on the paralyzed but still living Cicada.
• Full grown larvae hibernate in burrows, pupate in spring and emerge the following summer as adults.
• Can cause extensive lawn damage. However reduces Cicada population.
• Can be frightening to home owners because of their large size and massive population.
• They do sting, but only when provoked.

www.bee-busters.com