Photo Album: Cicada Killer Wasps Burrowing in Homeowners Lawn in Somerset, NJ
Why the Scary Name?
These wasps get their name from the fact that they immobilize the cicada and drag the insect into their burrows.
Fateful for the Cicada
The cicada killer then lays its eggs inside the cicada. Once they hatch, the larvae then begin to feed on the paralyzed cicada.
Increase Each Year
Their dirt mounds are 3 to 5 inches across and about 2 inches high. At first, you'll see between 5 to 10 burrows, but if not taken care of immediately, they will drastically increase each consecutive year.
The Male and Female
While the female is in the burrow laying her eggs, the male wasp flies around to ward off any threat to the female. Although their size can be intimidating, they are harmless, unless of course you directly grab them or step on them.
Now for Treatment
We're going to apply dusting application in each burrow which will eliminate the cicada killers when they come into contact with this treatment.