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The lure of warm winds and clear skies beckon people to leave their homes and venture outdoors. Some will visit places like the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve to stretch their legs on the many hiking and biking trails. People aren't the only ones ready to enjoy the milder weather - cicada killers are on the move and looking for a new home. If residents are not careful, their yards might become the next home for these stinging insects, and Plano pest control services will become vital.
How To Identify A Cicada Killer
Cicada Killers are wasps whose primary food source is cicadas. Their large size and buzzing can often send people into a panic. To distinguish cicada killers from other wasps, property owners should take note of some characteristics.
Six characteristics of cicada killer wasps include:
- They have black/dark brown bodies with noticeable yellow or white bands.
- Their head and thorax are rust-colored.
- Their wings have a little bit of yellow (amber) on them.
- Their bodies are about 1¼ to 2 inches long.
- Only females have a stinger.
- They make nests in the ground.
Cicada killers are most interested in visiting flowers, digging burrows, and capturing cicadas to put in holes for egg-laying. While humans are not too interesting to cicada killers, cicadas will defend their territory vigorously if people disturb their burrow.
The Problem With Cicada Killers In Your Yard
You might wonder why we should be worried about cicada killers around your home when their primary focus is cicadas. While cicada wasps are a valuable part of the food chain, they are also a pest that can ruin your yard. Cicada killers are solitary insects that dig burrows in sand and soil. When cicada killers find a great nesting site, more will follow; digging can significantly damage your yard. The tunnels they construct can also cause problems in gardens and the roots of fragile plants. Not only can they make a mess of your yard, but females will also sting if their nests are disturbed.
Five Eco-Friendly Tips To Prevent Cicada Killers In Your Yard
Cicada killers are essential for controlling the cicada populations, but sometimes the good things they provide aren't worth the damage they cause. Property owners can follow some eco-friendly tips that help stop cicada killers from making a mess out of their yards.
Five eco-friendly tips for cicada wasp prevention include the following:
- Cover potential breeding areas with mulch or landscape fabric (under shrubs, flowerbeds, and gardens).
- Keep lawns fertilized, thick and lush.
- Apply grass seed to bare patches.
- Overwater lawns when cicada killers are prevalent.
- Mow lawns on the highest setting.
Even the most vigilant property owners can still miss areas around their yard that invite cicada killers to breed. If you find many holes popping up all over your yard, contact All-Safe Pest & Termite for inspection, identification, and removal.
Call The Professionals For Total Cicada Killer Control
The best way to get rid of cicada killers from your yard is by using the professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our family-owned and operated company has been solving pest problems for property owners for over 30 years. We offer residential and commercial pest control services that utilize green home pest control solutions. If cicada killers are making your yard unsightly, call All-Safe Pest & Termite for immediate cicada wasp removal.
