All About Cicada Killer Wasps: Identification, Nesting, and Sting Info

What is a Cicada Killer?

A cicada killer is a large wasp species that gets its name from its prey of choice - cicadas. These intimidating-looking insects can grow over 1.5 inches long and are commonly found in the summer months in eastern and central USA. Despite their fearsome appearance, cicada killers are generally not aggressive towards humans unless provoked. The female cicada killer paralyzes cicadas with her sting and carries them back to her underground nest where she lays an egg on the cicada. When the egg hatches, the cicada killer larvae feed on the cicada. Let's take a closer look at these fascinating insects.

Appearance and Size

Cicada killers are the largest species of wasp in North America, growing up to 1.5-2 inches long. They have a very distinctive appearance:

• Black body with yellow markings on the thorax, abdomen, and face
• Red eyes
• Long, spiny legs for grasping cicadas
• Robust, hairy bodies
• Long dark wings with a wingspan around 3 inches

The cicada killer's black and yellow coloring serves as a warning to potential predators that it can deliver a painful sting. Only female cicada killers have a stinger since they are the ones who paralyze and carry cicadas back to their nests.

Hunting and Nesting Habits

Cicada killers get their name from their habit of paralzying cicadas and carrying them back to their underground nests. The hunting process goes like this:

1. The female cicada killer finds a cicada in a tree or bush by sight and sound.
2. She stings and paralyzes the cicada, injecting venom through her stinger.
3. With the paralyzed cicada in her jaws, she flies back to her burrow dug in bare, sandy soil.
4. In the burrow, she lays an egg on the live but paralyzed cicada and seals it into a cell.
5. When the egg hatches, the cicada killer larvae feeds on the cicada.
6. The larvae pupates and emerges the following summer as an adult cicada killer.

Female cicada killers create brooding chambers about 6-10 inches underground. The entrance hole is about 1/2 inch wide. Cicada killers nest in colonies with many females sharing interconnected burrows underground. The males do not have stingers and do not participate in hunting cicadas or nest building.

Distribution and Habitat

Cicada killers live in the eastern and central USA from the northeast to Texas. They thrive in warm sandy areas like beaches, sand dunes, and barren fields. The sandy soil makes it easier for the female wasps to dig nesting burrows.

Cicada killers start to emerge from their underground burrows in late June and are active through September. They are most abundant in July and August when their cicada prey is active and abundant. Higher summer temperatures also allow them to fly longer distances while hunting.

Are Cicada Killers Dangerous?

Despite their fearsome appearance, cicada killers are generally not aggressive and rarely sting humans. Only the female cicada killer has a stinger since her role is to paralyze cicadas to take back to her nest. Males do not have stingers and do not participate in hunting.

However, female cicada killers may sting if they perceive a threat to their nesting area. Some provocative behaviors that could elicit a sting include:

• Stepping on or near a nest entrance
• Swatting at the wasp or making threatening motions
• Trapping the wasp against your body

Cicada killers tend to intimidate through bluffing behaviors like buzzing loudly and erratic flying rather than stinging. The sting is used as a last line of defense for the nest.

Signs of a Cicada Killer Nest

Cicada killer nesting areas are pretty easy to identify so they can be avoided. Look for these signs:

• Sandy bare ground with lots of small 1/2 inch holes
• Frantic buzzing or flying activity around holes
• Dirt mounds around holes that look like mini volcanoes
• Cicada parts like wings or legs around holes

Give any area a wide berth if you observe these nesting signs. The female cicada killers will perceive you as a threat and may fly out to investigate or intimidate.

What Does a Cicada Killer Sting Feel Like?

Here is what to expect if you do get stung by a female cicada killer:

• Instant sharp burning pain at the sting site
• Intense stinging pain that radiates from the sting
• Redness, swelling, and itching around the sting
• Sting pain that may last up to a day

The cicada killer has a very large stinger so they can inject a substantial amount of venom. The venom contains chemicals like acetylcholine which causes intense pain signals. The sting is very painful but not medically dangerous for healthy adults.

Cicada Killer vs Other Wasps

Cicada killers are often confused with other large wasp species. Here's a quick guide to telling cicada killers apart from look-alikes:

Cicada Killer vs European Hornet

• Cicada killers have an entirely black head while European hornets have a yellow face
• Cicada killers have a black thorax while European hornets have a brown thorax with yellow markings
• Cicada killer wings are darker brown compared to European hornets

Cicada Killer vs Bald-Faced Hornet

• Bald-faced hornets have distinct white and black striping on their abdomen while cicada killers are solid black
• Bald-faced hornets make paper nests high up while cicada killers nest underground
• Bald-faced hornets are much more aggressive than cicada killers

Cicada Killer vs Tarantula Hawk

• Tarantula hawks have bright orange wings while cicada killers have dark brown wings
• Tarantula hawks have a blue-black body while cicada killers are solid black
• Tarantula hawks hunt tarantulas while cicada killers hunt cicadas

Cicada Killer Control and Removal

Cicada killer nests often pop up in inconvenient areas like lawns, gardens, or near patios. While they rarely sting, their large size and dramatic nesting behavior causes alarm. Here are some options for discouraging cicada killer nests:

Remove Nesting Sites

The easiest way to control cicada killers is removing suitable nesting areas. Cicada killers need bare sandy soil to dig their nest burrows. Solutions include:

• Planting grass or vegetation over bare sandy areas
• Spreading mulch or gravel over bare soil
• Leveling any slopes or hills of loose soil

Without suitable nesting sites, female cicada killers will not be able to reproduce in an area. Gradually the population will decline.

Nest Dusting

Insecticide dusts like Sevin can be lightly applied to nesting holes. As cicada killers enter and exit the holes, they pick up traces of insecticide. This helps kill adult wasps and also poison larvae within nest cells.

However, nest dusting needs to be repeated frequently as new holes open up. It also kills beneficial pollinators and soil organisms. Only use this targeted method if nests are in high traffic areas.

Traps

Funnel traps can be placed around nesting areas to catch emerging cicada killers. An upside down plastic bottle with the spout pointing into a bucket of soapy water is an easy DIY trap. Commercial varieties are also available.

However, traps alone are rarely effective for eliminating populations since new wasps emerge daily from the extensive underground nesting network.

Pesticide Sprays

Insecticide sprays are not very practical or effective against cicada killers. It is nearly impossible to spray insecticide deep enough into nesting holes to kill wasps and larvae underground.

Broad spraying of pesticides also kills honeybees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Only use targeted sprays on problem nests as a last resort.

Professional Extermination

For severe cicada killer infestations, professional pest control may be needed. Experienced exterminators have access to stronger insecticides and application methods.

Methods may include:

• Injecting insecticidal dusts or gels deep into nesting holes
• Applying residual sprays around nest entrances
• Using machinery to dig up and remove nest chambers

Completely eliminating an extensive network of underground nests is extremely difficult. Focus control efforts on discouraging future nesting in an area.

Cicada Killer Sting Treatment and First Aid

While extremely painful, cicada killer stings are generally not medically dangerous for healthy adults. Use these methods to treat sting symptoms:

Wash the Sting Site

Carefully wash the sting area with soap and water to remove any traces of venom. Do not rub or scratch the area to avoid worsening the reaction.

Apply a Cold Compress

Applying an ice pack or cold compress can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Wrap ice in a towel and apply for 10-15 minutes at a time.

Use OTC Medications

Over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or antihistamines can help manage pain and itching symptoms.

Try Home Remedies

Natural remedies like calamine lotion, baking soda paste, or aloe vera gel may briefly soothe sting discomfort.

Watch for Signs of Allergic Reaction

While rare, seek emergency care if you experience signs of anaphylaxis like trouble breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the face/throat.

See Your Doctor for Severe Reactions

Contact your doctor if you experience excessive redness/swelling, oozing, or increased pain at the sting site as this may indicate an infection.

Cicada Killers: Friend or Foe?

While cicada killers can certainly provide an adrenaline rush if you stumble on their nesting area, they are generally not out to get us. A few key facts about these imposing insects:

• They are solitary wasps that nest underground rather than building exposed paper nests.
• Only female cicada killers have stingers and they use them primarily to paralyze cicadas as food for their offspring.
• Males do not have stingers and neither gender seeks out opportunities to sting humans.
• Nests are best avoided but the wasps tend to be docile unless majorly provoked near their burrows.

Cicada killers occupy an important niche in the ecosystem by helping control cicada populations. While their appearance can be intimidating, a little caution around nests goes a long way to prevent any unpleasant encounters.

So next time you come across one of these big wasps, admire their unique hunting skills and striking colors - just keep your distance!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.