Cicada Killer Bees

Identification

• Cicada killer bees appear similar to a large yellow jacket

• 1-1 5/8″ long

• Black or rusty in color with yellow markings on first 3 abdominal segments

Environment

• Solitary; do not live in colonies or nests

• Nest in areas of bare ground

• Females dig burrows 1/2″ in diameter and can extend 10″ deep

• Females feed on cicadas (insect)

• Emerge from burrows in Summer, usually July or August

• There can be many burrows in a small area

Threats

• Soil from burrows can be unsightly

• Holes may be apparent in the lawn where burrows have been established

• Very low potential for stings, only sting if handled. Males cannot sting

• Stings may be life threatening to sensitive individuals

Treatment

• A product may be applied to the area where the cicada killers are digging burrows

• Eliminate bare ground areas to make it less appealing to them

• Cicada killers are beneficial insects and are therefore only controlled when absolutely necessary