Cicada killer wasps look similar to murder hornets but are more “mild-mannered,” explains certified entomologist Natasha Wright. These wasps emerge from underground in the summer to feed on cicadas and begin to die off in the fall. While they are generally not aggressive, they do sting when bothered, and “their massive size would amount to a massive puncture wound,” says Wright. But the real damage these wasps are likely to create is in your yard. The cicada killer wasps dig long, messy burrows in the ground. To try to keep them from messing up your grass, Wright suggests overseeding and watering any bare patches to encourage grass and vegetation growth, which will make the area less desirable to the wasps for nesting. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. “As one of the biggest groups of periodical cicadas, Brood X is definitely where we see a lot of cicada killers,” says Andrew Harris, pest control service supervisor at AccuRat Pest Solutions in the U.K. While there won’t technically be more cicada killers buzzing around, you may spot more of them nearby since far more cicadas than usual will be scattered about for the taking. Entomologist Ryan Smith, a pest control expert in Oregon, says as Brood X starts “to emerge in certain states, we can spot more cicada killers than usual.” He explains that “they feast on emerging cicadas, with female cicada killers stinging cicadas to death. After mating, male cicada killers die, while females remain active for a month or two.” To see if you’re in one of the 15 states that could see a rise in cicadas and cicada killer wasps, read on. RELATED: If You Live Here, Prepare for a Mosquito Invasion Like You’ve Never Seen. RELATED: 5 Things You’re Buying That Bring Bed Bugs Into Your House, Experts Say.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
