Cicada Killer Wasps on Long Island and Queens
With the emergence of the 17 year Cicada Brood II infestation here in Long Island and Queens, New York, one of the pests that homeowners on Long Island will begin to notice is the Cicada Killer wasp, also known as the Digger wasp. During the months of July through September, these insects will seek out cicadas to serve as food for their larvae. Cicada killer wasps look threatening due to their size, they can range in size from 1 ¼ inches to 2 inches, they are actually quite harmless.
Digger Wasp Pest Problem and Underground Nesting Structure
Homeowners, picnickers and anyone performing any outdoor activities on Long Island and Queens will become frightened when in close proximity to Cicada Killers. Digger wasps will often become an unwelcome nuisance as the male wasp will constantly patrol their underground nesting sites. Often, the male may aggressively fly right up to people in defense of their nest even though they cannot sting. The female digger wasp has a stinger that is primarily used to paralyze cicadas and will only sting humans when captured or mishandled. Unless you are extremely sensitive to bee or wasp stings, there is no cause for alarm if you are accidentally stung by a female cicada killer. The adult female digger wasp will dig tunnels in lawns, gardens, flower beds and other outdoor sandy areas for their nesting sites by excavating noticeable and unsightly mounds of soil around their tunnel entrance. The cicada killer wasp tunnel is 1-1 ½ inches in diameter and will be about a foot deep and almost two feet long. At the bottom, the female will construct a chamber consisting of three to four cells and will be stocked with one or two cicadas for each larvae, with additional chambers constructed off the main tunnel branch with additional cells, which may house an additional dozen or more cells.
Digger Wasp Pest Control on Long Island and Queens
A cicada killer wasp infestation can be controlled economically by using a badminton or tennis racket and just whack at them or you can keep the infested area much wetter than normal by filling the tunnels with water and washing away the piles of dirt surrounding them. Additionally, homeowners in Long Island and Queens, NY can apply certain pesticides designed to kill the wasps, however, numerous treatments need to be applied over a number of days and weeks from July-September should new wasps move ino the area. Some homeowners do not feel comfortable applying the pesticides necessary to eliminate a digger wasp infestation and should contact a licensed pest control technician such as Top Quality Exterminating and Pest Control to eliminate these annoying pests.
Top Quality Exterminating specializes in Residential and Commercial pest control including termite treatment control, wildlife management and trapping, ant extermination, bee and wasp nest removal and other pest control services at affordable prices. Complete our online form now for your free no obligation inspection and quote or call us at 631-225-5667 in Suffolk County, 516-333-7570 in Nassau County or 718-347-4070 in Queens, NY. We are qualified to provide you with VA, FHA and conventional mortgage pest control inspection certificates.
