True to their name, cicada killers are solitary wasps that capture and kill cicadas, which are large, harmless insects that make their presence known by buzzing loudly during summer months. When caught by a female cicada killer, the cicada is stung, paralyzed, and then transported into the cicada killer’s burrow to serve as food for new larvae. Cicada killers show little interest in people and pets, but will sting if provoked. Additionally, burrowing can cause yard and patio damage. For these reasons, homeowners often desire professional removal services.
The average cost to exterminate cicada killer wasp ranges between $100-$300, with the average homeowner spending around $200 on preventative quarterly pest control to address all insects. This includes ongoing insecticide treatments to address any current infestation and prevent any future inhabitation.
Cost to Exterminate Cicada Killer | |
---|---|
National average cost | $200 |
Average range | $100-$300 |
Minimum cost | $0 |
Maximum cost | $375 |
Hiring a professional pest control service is important when addressing a cicada killer infestation for a number of reasons. Firstly, It’s hard to differentiate between types of cicada killers with an untrained eye; hiring a professional ensures the treatment is customized for the type of cicada killer present on the property. It’s important to know that prevention is an essential component of successful treatment; just eliminating the cicada killers doesn’t prevent new wasps from claiming the burrows and continuing to inhabit the property. Also, when pesticides are used, professionals can ensure the safety of the homeowner and any children and pets who play on the property.
Professionals charge an average of $375 for one-time cicada killer treatment and an average of $200 quarterly for ongoing pest control services (which encompass more than just cicada killers). Almost all exterminators in areas where cicada killers live will offer these services, but they may offer different pricing or different packages.
Treatment | Cost |
---|---|
One-time | $375 |
Quarterly | $200 |
Although cicada killers avoid people and pets, many homeowners hire a pest control service because they’re bothered by their presence. They’re large, unsightly, and often scary for young children, and they can sting if stepped on or otherwise bothered. Additionally, they leave burrows in the yard that are so large that homeowners often suspect gophers, moles, or other burrowing pests.
Most pest control companies offer a multifaceted approach that includes nest removal, pesticides, and closure of the burrow. These methods are combined to offer an effective solution, so the homeowner will not have to choose between professionals that use different methods, but rather make their decision based on how reliable that professional is and other factors.
There are five different species of cicada killers: Eastern, Western, Pacific, Caribbean, and Spectacled. Professional exterminators can assist homeowners in identifying the kind of cicada killer present on their property and customizing the approach for that particular species. The cost of removal is more dependent on the size of the infestation than the type of cicada killer.
Cicada killers are ground burrowing wasps located throughout North America, South America, and even Europe and can be found in nearly every climate. When looking for areas to burrow and nest, they seek full sunlight, and light-textured, well-drained soil or sand 1. As indicated by their name, they live in climates that house cicadas - their primary prey - and nest near hardwood treats that house cicadas. Burrows start at the surface but are dug as much as foot 2 beneath the surface.
Most common burrowing sites for cicada killers include sandy areas such as playgrounds and sandboxes, slopes with minimal vegetation, lawns with looser soil, sand traps at golf courses, and at the edge or in between the cracks of concrete slabs 3 or pavers.
The pest control process includes removing the cicada wasp nest from the burrow, closing the burrow completely, and then working to make the site less desirable for future cicada killer wasps.
Cicada killer wasp size is often alarming to homeowners. Cicada killers are much larger than most other species of wasp and many homeowners are uncomfortable around these wasps because of their size alone. The smallest cicada killer wasps, which are the males, are around 0.6 inches while the largest females can exceed 2.0” in length. Females are twice the size of males and have a long stinger that contributes to their unsightly appearance.
Cicada killers are much larger than yellow jackets and comparable in size to murder hornets (Asian giant hornets), which average 1.75” long. Although the insects are around the same size on average, Asian hornets do have the potential to grow slightly larger than cicada killers.
Generally speaking, cicada killer wasps are not dangerous. Males have no stinger at all, while female cicada killers have a large stinger and, although rare, will sting if stepped on or otherwise provoked. This sting causes substantially less discomfort than a yellow jacket sting that resolves quickly and generally has no lasting effects. Male cicada killers are territorial. If provoked, they may dive at a human or pet, but they pose no risk since they don’t have a stiner.
Although not common, cicada killers can sting pets, who are more likely to have a serious reaction to the sting than humans. For this reason, and to alleviate their own anxiety about the presence of such frightening-looking insects, many homeowners elect pest control to eliminate cicada killers from their property.
There are two sides to this coin. On the one hand, cicada tree damage and cicada damage to plants are common. On the other hand, they help reduce the cicada population, which means they can be beneficial in preventing damage to your trees. At the same time, cicada killers burrow like other yard pests, displacing a substantial amount of soil, causing unsightly holes and mounds, and damaging your yard. Additionally, they can destroy patios made with bricks or pavers by digging up the dirt in the spaces.
Hiring a professional to remove cicada killers from the property and prevent them from returning is the best way to prevent property damage.
The more the homeowner knows about the appearance and behavior of cicada killer wasps, the easier it will be to identify a cicada killer infestation and hire the right professionals for the job. These facts can help differentiate between cicada killers and other common wasps:
Cicada killers bear an uncanny resemblance to the Asian giant hornet, leaving many homeowners more afraid of cicada killers than they have in the past. The Asian giant hornet is native to South Korea and Japan and has only been found in Northwestern Washington - not in any other states in the United States. The primary difference in appearance between the two is their head: the Asian giant hornet’s head is wider than it’s thorax while the cicada killer’s head is narrower than the thorax. There is little difference between the two in overall size, although the largest Japanese hornets are slightly larger than the largest cicada killers.
Additionally, cicada killers are not dangerous to humans and in fact, rarely sting humans at all, while the Asian giant hornet (often called a murder hornet or Japanese hornet) not only stings but can be deadly. The Japanese hornet’s sting contains a venom that is particularly painful and dangerous to humans.
The best way to prevent cicada killers from making nests on your property is to make your property undesirable for them. That is, since they like well-drained soil, water your lawn often and keep it as hydrated as possible. Since they prefer areas with little to no vegetation, set your mower deck to the highest setting when you mow the lawn; this will ensure ample vegetation and little access to the soil. Adding ample mulch to flower beds can help keep them away, too. Routine use of pesticides that are safe for children and pets can also help.
Managing the cicada population can be helpful in preventing cicada killers from making their home on the property; because they settle where cicadas are readily available, they choose properties that host cicadas. Wrapping sticky traps around the bottom of tree trunks to catch cicadas as they climb, covering plants with netting, and spraying cicadas off of trees and plants with a garden hose are all relatively effective ways to reduce the population.
Hiring a professional exterminator is the most effective way to get rid of cicada killer wasps and prevent them from returning. One-time cicada killer treatment averages $375, while quarterly cicada killer maintenance averages $200 per quarter.
Cicada killer wasps are not dangerous to humans, but many people hire an exterminator because they’re afraid of them. Their size and resemblance to a yellow jacket make them unwanted guests for many homeowners.
Stepping on or swatting at a female cicada killer wasp often results in an uncomfortable sting, whereas cicada killers won’t hurt anyone if left alone. It’s best to hire an exterminator to address the problem.
Certain chemicals or boiling water will kill cicada killer wasps if the treatment is applied to the right nest or burrow at the right time (typically at night). However, DIY methods are accompanied by many risks, such as the possibility of being stung. A more effective approach is ensuring the property is less desirable for cicada killers. The boiling water method is virtually free, while chemical treatments range from $5 for bleach to $50 for Sylo insecticide.
Most burrows are approximately one foot beneath the surface of the ground. A single cicada killer can displace several pounds of soil.
Cost to exterminate cicada killer varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.