Cicada Killers

So I was weed-eating my yard around the house and step into a cicada killer nest. Of course the cicada killer flies out and scares the crap out of me. I didn't get stung.

If anyone remembers me I'm the one who used to cut the grass pretty much down to the dirt and had 6 cicada killer nests in one year. I'm also the nut who pours gasoline down the holes to kill them.

Now I mow my yard at the highest setting, water, fertilize it. The yard looks very nice now and is actually weed free and green. Not sure why or how the cicada killer got through all of the wet grass and dug a nest, but it did. So I poured some gas down the hole after it went in and that was that.. About 30 mins later I flushed it with water... Yeah, I know cicada killers are docile creatures, but so are bears.. :-)

Now I have a big patch of dead grass by my house.

BTW, I wouldn't suggest pouring gas around your house but is is effective and quick.

 

Treat lawn with insecticide in spring to prevent larvae from developing. Read more: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef004.asp

 

Good point, I didn't think of that.. Thank you..

 

Why would you kill them
In many states they are protected
Not only do they do no harm they are very beneficial

It has always been my standard practice to refuse to irresponsibly treat simply for beneficials

 

I killed it because it made a nest right by the entrance to my house, where my wife and child walk through daily.

Not quite sure if you were stating I was being irresponsible by killing it because I don't want me or my family to be stung. Was that what you meant?

I'm pretty sure if some beneficial yellow jackets made a nest by the entrance of your home you wouldn't let them stay. :-)

 

they don't "sting". they may pinch, but not sting. you are likely watching the male waiting for the brood to hatch.

for reference:http://www.walterreeves.com/insects_animals/article.phtml?cat=21&id=467

 

If you can find any source that list yellow jackets as beneficial I would love to see it

Cicada killers are beneficials (that's an official designation) because they kill cicadas which kill trees
And yes it is irresponsible to kill them in most cases
Especially since they are non aggressive and have an almost painless sting

The more aggressive appearing wasps are usually the males which are incapable of stinging

 

>>I'm also the nut who pours gasoline down the holes to kill them.

Ha ha! Yes, well you said it, we didn't. Seriously though, I'd love to see what your lawn would look like using that technique if about 20 or 30 cicada killers descended on your yard. I'd also be interested to hear what the fine would be if the EPA caught you intentionally dumping gasoline on the ground, polluting our ground water.