If you’ve discovered or stumbled across a cicada killer nest in your yard, the instinct will be to destroy it. However, not everyone knows how to go about the process.
In this article, you’ll find help on how to eradicate a cicada killer nest.
How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasp Nest
Cicada killer wasps are prolific breeders that tend to cause all sorts of problems to homeowners.
However, these aren’t entirely a nuisance as their larvae feed on cicadas. This feeding behavior makes them helpful in a way as cicadas are prevented from harming trees.
It’s not difficult to figure out the cicada wasp’s presence in your yard as their activities announce their presence. Their nesting behavior leads to the destruction of lawns through burrowing action.
Cicada killer wasps nest in the soil hence the need to create nesting sites.
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About Cicada Killer Wasps
To understand how to destroy cicada killer wasps and their nests, you need some understanding of their nesting behavior. After mating, female members seek out a suitable place to nest.
Of course, this requires some burrowing.
This burrowing activity is systematically done with cells created. An egg is placed in the cell with about 2 to 3 cicadas supplied.
These cicadas are disabled or paralyzed by venom injection. After sealing the chamber, hatching of eggs and pupation occurs with larvae feeding on cicadas provided.
As adult cicada killer wasps emerge from the soil, they make a mess of your lawn or bed flowers with tunnels appearing. Their reproductive behavior of digging and tunneling to lay eggs can affect your yard.
Plus, the root systems of plants are damaged in the process.
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Identifying Cicada Killer Nests
Multiple ways determine if your yard is a nesting ground for cicada killer wasps.
These signs aren’t tricky to figure out. They include looking around for small granular dirt mounds between 2 and 5 inches.
Does the ground feel mushy when stepped on?
It could be an added sign of cicada killer wasp presence. Other symptoms of these wasps’ presence and nesting activity include finger-sized homes at the mound’s foot.
U-shaped tunnels are seen in the ground, with primarily loose soil scattered around the entrance.
You will likely be dealing with a cicada killer wasp nest if these signs are seen. What remains is to take appropriate action by destroying these nests.
Destroying Cicada Killer Nests
You’ll have to contend with these stinging creatures to destroy the cicada killer wasp nest.
Your safety is primary as you need to avoid getting stung by these wasps. Destroying their nests includes killing them. With that said, there are lots of alternative approaches to consider.
Irrespective of which option(s) you go with, you’ll do well to do so at night when they’re most vulnerable. This way, your chances of getting stung are reduced.
Broad approaches for control include natural and chemical control methods. What do these approaches entail? Let’s find out!
i. Destroying Cicada Killer Nests Naturally
The natural approach to ridding your yard of cicada killer nests requires locating every nest within the area.
We’ve earlier stated how such dens are built for nesting purposes. Look out for a hole the size of a nickel with no grass. This will look like an anthill but without ant activity.
Having found such a hole, you’ll need to have it appropriately marked to make it easily traceable at night while looking out for others. At night, you’re now ready to proceed with the destruction of their nests.
Have some water boiled to dump into these nests.
The water needed will depend on the number of cicada killer nests identified. With the help of a flashlight and your boiled water, locate these nests and dump sufficient down the hole.
You may temporarily close the hole using a glass bowl to prevent these wasps from leaving.
In the morning, an inspection of the area should provide ready answers. Cicada killer wasps are killed and their nests destroyed. At this point, you’ll need to remove dead carcasses before leveling the burrows.
You may have to repeat the process if this hasn’t been as successful.
ii. Destroying Cicada Killer Nests Using Chemicals
The chemical method of cicada killer nest destruction involves many chemicals and pesticides.
These numerous products range from boric acid, bleach, ammonia, hornet spray, pyrethrin-based powder, Demon WP, cypermethrin, drone dust, and others.
For any of these chemicals and pesticides to be effective, they must be applied appropriately. Again, using any of these is best done at night.
Let’s look at each of these and provide you with essential details on how to use them.
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Boric Acid
Boric acid can be applied in several ways, including dumping the same into cicada killer nests. This eliminates them, leaving your yard free of such nests.
Having confirmed the procedure’s success, level the mounds back to normal.
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Bleach
Bleach is a ready household laundry and cleaning product that can be used to destroy cicada killer nests. While that is true, it’s not known to be effective in killing cicada wasp eggs.
You may have to look for other alternatives.
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Ammonia
Ammonia is quite potent when it comes to destroying cicada killer nests.
All that’s needed is for the chemical to be dumped into the hole and the opening covered. These pests are unlikely to survive the ordeal.
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Hornet Spray
A pesticide you can trust for this purpose is the hornet spray.
Choose your most preferred and proceed to spray directly into cicada killer nest openings. You’ll have to protect yourself from inhaling the insecticide product.
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Pyrethrin-Based Powder
This type of insecticide tends to be one of the easiest to use.
All that’s needed is to sprinkle inside and around the nest opening. However, it’s not recommended for use around kids and pets as it could lead to poisoning.
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Demon WP
Demon WP works by diluting with water and applying with a spray. This product has a residual effect that lasts as much as three months from the day of application.
Destroying cicada killer nests involves all of the processes discussed above. You’ll need to figure out what method best serves your needs.