Cicada Killer Wasps (Sphecius speciosus) are large, solitary wasps that appear during the summer months. Also known as digger wasps, they can look intimidating due to their size, but unlike social wasps such as yellow jackets, they are not aggressive. In fact, these wasps play a beneficial role in pollination.
Habitat and Behavior
Cicada Killer Wasps are commonly attracted to flowers, feeding on nectar. They prefer soft, sandy, well-drained soil for digging burrows, often found in sloped areas, flower beds, along patios or sidewalks, and in yards.
The female cicada killer stings cicadas (locusts) to paralyze them and uses them to feed her developing larvae. Many larvae emerge as adult wasps the following year. Adult cicada killers feed solely on flower nectar and do not defend their nests like yellow jackets, making them less of a threat.
Treatment and Management
At Rockland Bee Removal, we generally try to avoid dealing with cicada killer wasps unless it’s necessary. The reason is simple: it is nearly impossible to completely prevent these wasps from nesting on your property. New females can always establish burrows, and male cicada killers do not nest in the ground, so free-flying wasps may remain regardless of treatment.
When treatment is requested, we apply an insect dust directly to the burrows, targeting the females and their current population. However, pupae from last year’s nests overwinter in the soil and will emerge as adults, meaning new holes can appear 5–7 days after treatment. This is normal and does not mean the treatment failed.
Rain can also affect results, as heavy rainfall may wash away the insect dust, leaving some wasps active. Because of the nature of cicada killers, additional treatments may sometimes be required if new holes appear.
Rockland Bee Removal can provide treatment to eliminate existing females and treat their existing burrows. While this reduces the current population, it cannot guarantee that cicada killers won’t return in the future.
If cicada killer activity is a concern on your property, Rockland Bee Removal can help manage and reduce their presence safely and effectively—but it’s important to understand that total prevention is unlikely. ◆
