Photo Album: Backyard Taken Over by Cicada Killer Wasps in Far Hills, NJ

Cicada Killer Wasps Having Fun

Throughout the yard was a massive infestation of cicada killer wasps. Cicada killers are solitary insects, meaning they nest alone, and choose to nest in well-drained, light-textured soils in full sunlight that are near trees harboring cicadas.

Non-Aggressive Stinging Insects

Cicada killers are large wasps, approximately 2 inches in size, and get their name from killing cicadas in order to reproduce their larvae. They may look deadly and dangerous, but in reality, they aren't aggressive and rarely sting unless they are grasped roughly, stepped upon with bare feet, or caught in clothing.

What They Do To Cicadas

The female cicada killer wasp will paralyze a cicada with their stinger, carry it back to their burrow, and lay their eggs under the left or right second leg of the cicada. The eggs then hatch and the larvae begin to eat the cicada while it is paralyzed. 

Cicada Killer Wasp Treatment

For treatment, we injected a residual dusting product into every single cicada killer burrow throughout the yard. After that, we placed a granular bait in and around their burrows. These treatments will quickly exterminate the cicada killer wasps.