Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on June 16, 2011 at 3:56pm

Looks like a hornet to me they are large and build under ground nest. What out the have a bad sting. Yikes  Jenn

Permalink Reply by April Lymer on June 16, 2011 at 4:22pm

I found out it is a cicada killer wasp and is mostly harmless.  I quote, "While the Cicada Killer is a fearsome looking wasp, if left alone, unharrassed, they have no reason to sting a human. The males might buzz around a person exhibiting territorial behavior, but they can't sting. The stinging females are preoccupied with finding cicadas for their young. This photographer spent several days seated directly in front of a large cooperative burrow. Cicada Killers buzzed in and out of their burrows, sometimes flying within inches of my head. As with most animals, being calm and leaving them to their lives will avert most problems. I've not been stung by one, but if you are, be sure to take proper care. As with any stinging insect, some people may have an allergic reaction and need medical attention.  Andrew Williams critterzone.com

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on June 16, 2011 at 4:45pm

April, my mother had these in her yard for years.  They really are harmless.  They can be scary as they are so big and rather bold, or curious, but we've had kids of all ages, dogs, cats you name it in the yard with them and never had a single problem.  They like sandy or dry soil, so if you wet the area in which tunnel, they will find someplace else to nest.  When you see them, it generally means they are emerging and may have already laid eggs for next year, in which case you will see them again next year when those inividuals emerge.  We simply noted on a calendar when we saw the first wasps emerge, which for us was in late July.  Beginning in mid July we simply made sure the area was moist.  Hatched individuals emerged and flew off but the site was no long attractive for those seeking to lay eggs.  They are pretty awesome when you see them fly in with a huge cicada.    

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on June 16, 2011 at 4:48pm

And by the by, I am deathly allergic to all bees, wasps, etc.  Literally, I have to have an epi pen with me at all time, can't even have any honey and I promise I was not at all bothered by them and we lived them for years.

Permalink Reply by April Lymer on June 16, 2011 at 4:51pm

Thanks.  I am not going to bother it any more because both my husband and I would love to see one of them hauling in a cicada.  Besides the fact that my husband would love to get rid of those noisy cicadas (I like their noise).  We have no children and our dog is not supposed to be in where the wasp is working anyway so if she gets stung then she was misbehaving.

Permalink Reply by judy r ruth on July 31, 2011 at 6:13pm

We've been seeing lots of them too in our yard after watering.  And the holes.  My hubby thought they were hornets, but the cicada wasp makes sense, since this is the year for them!