How to destroy Cicada Killer nest. Cicada Killer Wasps are usually seen during the summer months. A Cicada Killer stings each cicada to paralyze it and carry it back to the nest.
The best way to treat Cicada Killer Wasps is by tracking down their nest by looking for a 15cm (6”) diameter pithy mud tube with six openings or a paper-type honeycomb directly in trees or on sidewalls of buildings.
Apply the insecticide in the evening when these wasps are resting. Make sure the nest is sprayed completely, but be careful since they may come out and sting you. You can spray the nest with a watering hose as well.
Use our treatment guide to learn how to get rid of cicada killers.
How to destroy Cicada Killer nest
Use insecticide dust at night to destroy cicada killer and other digger wasp nests.
If you’re dealing with a parasite, cover the nest opening with a shovelful of dirt to keep other insects away, and reapply the poison every two or three days.
Find out how to get rid of the cicada killer in our guide below.
Remove the Food Source
Cicada killers feed on cicada larvae. In your yard or garden, you should have a lot of flowers and other large plants. These plants may serve as a food supply for pests, causing them to target your yard by mistake.
Cicadas feed on nectar and sugary sap from large trees, so keep small trees under control as they provide sustenance to pests.
Provide Fertilizer to the Soil
Cicada killers won’t nest in soil. A wasp prefers soils with light texture, nutrients, and grasses tall enough to keep the insects outside of the sun and out of the shade. In moist soil, cicada killers can drown.
It is important to check your soil moisture, Fertilize level, and ensure the area isn’t prone to staying wet for long periods of time.
Also, make sure there is a thick covering of tall, full blades of grass instead of patchy areas or completely bare areas which are more exposed to the sun. Also, water your lawn every week by 1 to 2 inches.
Destroy Cicada Killer Nests
After you follow the first two steps, there are a few different ways how to get rid of cicada killer wasps. By filling in the burrows with water and washing any dirt away, you can easily destroy the nests.
It might be helpful to apply wasp dust (applied on each nest entrance), while other folks have found success with liquid chemicals (filled into the nest) or even aerosol sprays that are specially formulated to keep pests under control without the need for excessive attention.
By Using Boric Acid and Vinegar
Some homeowners like to add boric acid or vinegar to their mixture of water.
There are also sprays that you can use which will not only remain active for a long period of time but are very effective at killing wasps and small bugs alike.
Prevention Tips
The best way to ensure that a cicada killer wasp nest doesn’t appear in your yard again is to make sure you’re maintaining a healthy and safe lawn.
It is important to keep your lawn properly fertilized, moist, and free of any bare spots that might be hidden beneath the surface of your grass or weeds in order to prevent this.
You can also take steps to rid your lawn of any tall or thick vegetation so as not to attract a potential nesting site for this specific insect as they tend to stay away from areas where less sunlight reaches after growing there already once before.
FAQs
When will Cicada Killer Wasps return to their burrows?
A female cicada killer can lay up to 20 eggs within a single cell throughout her lifetime. Young cicadas grow and feed on dead cicadas, eventually leaving the nest to seek mates and dig burrows of their own.
Which smell do cicadas hate?
Using organic methods instead of chemicals may be a good place to start. Using peppermint oil or a similar organic method will not hurt your vegetation. Vinegar or eucalyptus are also good repellents since they hate the smell.
How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps?
Conclusion
How to destroy Cicada Killer nest. Cicada killer wasps are solitary insects about the size of a honeybee. It hunts cicadas with its very long antennae. Cicadas will be paralyzed and forced into the tunnels it digs in the ground.
The wasp lays its eggs in cicadas and feeds on its larvae. I hope you found this blog post helpful, and we wish you luck as you destroy cicada killer nests.
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