What is this (bee or hornet) and how do we get rid of it? - Ask Extension
Hi. We have a super big bee or hornet infestation and we need to get rid of them. I've attached some photos. In a couple of the photos, one of the hor...
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What is this (bee or hornet) and how do we get rid of it? #700399
Asked July 13, 2020, 6:09 PM EDT
Hi. We have a super big bee or hornet infestation and we need to get rid of them. I've attached some photos. In a couple of the photos, one of the hornets is holding a large dead cicada and is trying to take in into the nest, which is in the ground! These are huge and some of them seem to be over 1.5 inches long. What is this and how do we get rid of it?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We are glad you asked!
The large insect you are seeing is aptly called a Cicada Killer Wasp. You described and captured them in your photo doing exactly what they do.
Don't worry though. These are not dangerous to you. They are solitary wasps, one female per hole and so don't attack or swarm to protect a nest.
The large insect you are seeing is aptly called a Cicada Killer Wasp. You described and captured them in your photo doing exactly what they do.
Don't worry though. These are not dangerous to you. They are solitary wasps, one female per hole and so don't attack or swarm to protect a nest.
Cicada killer wasps are considered beneficial because they reduce the
cicada population and should be tolerated if possible. They usually will not bother
people even when provoked. Their sting is meant for paralyzing their prey and
normally does not cause a reaction in humans. They are solitary wasps but may
appear in large numbers in good nesting sites such as sunny, well drained soils with
large trees nearby to hunt cicadas.
We do not recommend control of them. They are beneficial and not around long.
We do not recommend control of them. They are beneficial and not around long.
If they really are bothersome to you, know that there are no easy control solutions. Modify the habitat and make the area
unattractive to burrowing. In lawns thicken your stand of turf by overseeding in the
fall. Run a sprinkler in the nesting area over a period of time to saturate the ground
during the day while the wasps are active. They do not like water and may lessen
activity temporarily. Reduce exposed soil in ornamental beds by planting
groundcovers and applying mulch. In new beds pin down landscape fabric with
landscape pins and cover with mulch. If chemical control is necessary, control
targets the adults. The young overwinter in a cocoon and insecticides may only kill
this year’s wasps. Dust the entrance to the holes with a registered insecticidal dust
labeled for controlling ground nesting bees and wasps. Apply at the recommended
rate and follow label directions. Control is best done when you first see the females
before they provision nests that will produce wasps next season. For more
information on Cicada Killer Wasps see our publication on Mining Bees and Ground
