| Author |
Message |
    
Ibeme
Citizen
Username: Ibeme
Post Number: 75
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 5:18 pm: | 
|
When we bought our house last year, I noticed these large bee/hornet type insects burrowing in the ground. They are roughly 1.75"-2.5" long and their wings produce a deep hum. Their nests are mounds of sand with large holes approximately a finger in diameter. I am wondering whether or not they pose any physical harm and how to get rid of them (preferably forever and ever). Any local experience and/or wisdom? These suckers are HUGE! |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4483
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 6:08 pm: |
|
They are cicada killer or cicada hawk wasps. They are solitary wasps that won't bother you unless you mess with them. They look fiercesome, but aren't nearly as bad as they look. Unless you have small children that can't understand "don't mess with the wasps", I can't see any reason to kill them. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 211
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 6:16 pm: |
|
Is this what we are talking about? |
Ibeme
Citizen
Username: Ibeme
Post Number: 76
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 9:24 pm: |
|
No, the picture is more pure wasp. These are more half breeds that are giant bee/waasp combos. very fearsome in appearance, but they haven't bothered me. i do have small children, but they don't go outside unattended yet. |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4487
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 9:31 pm: |
|
I think these are your wasps.
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~hollidac/cicadakillerhome.html |
Ibeme
Citizen
Username: Ibeme
Post Number: 78
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 9:39 pm: |
|
Wow! Either you really know insects or are just a super-walking-talking-search engine!! Here is a not-so-great picture of what we're dealing. I also posted this in the other bee thread.
 |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1567
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 10:28 pm: |
|
We had them one year and they were really frightening but as tjohn said, harmless. Guess we didn't have enough cicadas because they moved on.
Speaking of cicadas - has anyone noticed how quiet (cicada-wise) it is? |
Ibeme
Citizen
Username: Ibeme
Post Number: 82
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
|
I haven't heard 'em. |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 545
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 11:29 pm: |
|
We hear the cicadas in the morning, but not in the evening. There was also one buzzing around my car in the pool parking lot. So they are there, just not in huge numbers. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page