Even though they’re huge and pretty intimidating, the danger that cicada killer wasps (also known as cicada hawk wasps or simply cicada wasps) pose to people is minimal. The males are completely harmless since they lack singers.
That doesn’t stop them from being scary-looking, of course – and some people are allergic to their stings. Whatever the reason, if you need wasp control services, the Bug Out team can help you out.
What Do Cicada Killer Wasps Look Like?
The most visible feature of these wasps is that they’re big; they range from 1.5 to 2 inches in size. Their bodies are mostly black, with yellow edges on their thorax and abdomen segments.
You might catch sight of one of these wasps carrying a cicada through the air – it’s an impressive sight since the cicada is often twice as big as the wasp carrying it!
What Do Cicada Killer Wasp Nests Look Like?
Unlike many other wasps, cicada wasps nest underground. Instead of building under the eaves of a house or in trees, these wasps dig under the ground to lay their eggs. These nests can go deep underground, but the openings are small; only about half an inch in diameter. If you find one, don’t try to take care of it on your own; call for professional wasp nest removal instead.
Lookalike Bugs
There are a few bugs that look like cicada wasps. If you think you saw a cicada wasp fly by, it could also have been one of these:
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- European Hornet. This is an invasive hornet from Europe that made its way into the US in the 19th century. These are dangerous to people with allergies, but for those without, they’re not more dangerous than any other bee. Their red coloration and vicious-looking faces definitely make them seem threatening, but they aren’t aggressive to people unless provoked.
- Elm Sawfly. These may look like wasps, but they’re actually large flies. They can’t sting at all, and so pose no danger to humans. They can be scary-looking, though.
- Yellowjackets. The main difference here is that yellowjackets are much smaller than cicada killer wasps. Their markings are somewhat similar, so some people mix them up.
Worried it might be a murder hornet? Rest assured, if you see a huge bug in Lubbock TX, it is definitely not a murder hornet; that infamous wasp hasn’t been spotted in the US since 2021, and even then, it was only in Washington State.
Are Cicada Wasps Aggressive?
Generally, these wasps will leave people alone and are only aggressive if harmed or threatened. As their name implies, cicada killer wasps feed on cicadas. The female cicada killer will sting the cicadas to paralyze them, and then carry them back to their underground nests to lay their eggs in the cicada’s body. She then buries the cicada to give her eggs a safe place to hatch.
So in short, as long as you’re not a cicada, you’re pretty safe from these bugs.
Cicada Wasp Sting Treatment
As mentioned above, cicada killer wasp stings aren’t any more dangerous than a regular bee sting – and the males can’t sting at all. If you are stung, it will still hurt; these are big bugs, after all. Even so, the wasp’s venom isn’t strong and won’t leave any lasting issues unless you are allergic.
If any insect stings you and you are allergic, call for medical help immediately. Otherwise, there are a few things you can do to mitigate your discomfort:
- Wash the sting with soap and water to keep it clean and reduce infection risk.
- Apply ice to reduce swelling.
- Take anti-inflammatory pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the sting is sore.
Call professional pest control. Pest control pros like Bug Out know exactly how to handle wasp infestations.
Call Bug Out for Wasp Control in Lubbock TX
The Lubbock TX area has counted on Bug Out for professional pest control since 60. If you’re worried about cicada wasps – or any other kind of pest – in your home or business, give our team a call. We’ll get you started with a free quote.
