Cicada Killers Turn Homeowners Yard Into a Mine Field in Middletown, NJ

Challenge

A resident in Middletown, NJ called our office after finding multiple dug up holes throughout his front yard. We began our inspection and came to the conclusion that these "holes" were actually burrows created by cicada killer wasps. As soon as we reported what we found to the homeowner one of the cicadas killers flew in their burrow carrying a cicada!

Cicada killer wasps are large, solitary wasps that are black and pale yellow in color. They dig their holes or burrows in soft, sandy and well-drained soil. They may appear imitating, but they pose no threat to humans unless you harass or step on them. The female cicada killer wasps will paralyze a cicada with her venomous stinger, carry the cicada to its burrow, and lay its egg underneath the wing of the cicada. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin to eat the paralyzed cicada alive. 

Solution

For treatment, we applied a dusting application directly into each burrow, which completely covers the cicada killers. They will then begin to groom one another and unknowingly ingest the application. In a short amount of time, the cicada killers are eliminated and the homeowner can reclaim his lawn without fear!