The cicada killer wasp, also known as the giant cicada killer, is one of the largest solitary, ground-burrowing wasps in the United States. It is found east of the Rocky Mountains and south into Mexico. Although it rarely stings, its large size and menacing behavior makes it a special concern, especially to individuals with young children or with a sensitivity to stings.

The cicada is a very large, robust wasp about 1 1/8 to 1 5/8 inches long. It has a black body marked with yellow across the thorax and on the first three abdominal segments, similar to the yellow jacket.

The cicada killer is commonly found in residental areas, city parks, forest edges, golf courses and oil tank farms. They burrow in grass covered or bare hills, banks and berms, as well as raised sidewalks, driveways and patio slabs, They can be found in loose clay to sandy soils, and in loose soils in planters, window boxes and flower beds. In late summer these wasps are commonly seen skimming lawn areas and flying around shrubs and trees looking for cicadas. The wasps, by paralizing cicadas with their sting, use them as food for thier offspring; the adults feed on flower nectar. Once the cicada is paralized, the wasp drags the cicada up a tree or post to gain height so it can fly back to its burrow. The wasp may have to do this several times with each cicada. These wasps dig holes in lawns, kicking out a large, horseshoe shaped pile of dirt around the nest entrance. The burrow is about  1/2 inch in diameter and may be 6 to 10 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches long. At the end of the burrow are three or four cells. One or two cicadas are placed in each cell; one egg is laid on a cicada in each cell. Several wasps will frequently make individual burrows in one location. These wasps are strong fliers and will travel a considerable distance in search of food. The female wasps rarely sting unless they are disturbed by unwary or frightened persons or by lawn equipment in their nest area.

Treating the lawn and ornamental garden on a regular basis with Delta Guard Granules is the best way to prevent burrowing. Suspend SC can be used as a drench treatment for existing nests, however, stinging insects are very dangerous and a professional should be retained for the task. If you have any questions about these products, please contact us.
Carpenter bees are large, robust insects that look much like bumble bees. They have a bare, shiny black abdomen with some yellow markings. Male carpenter bees, identified by a bright yellow spot in the middle of the head, are aggressive but harmless because they lack stingers. Females can sting if provoked.

Carpenter bees bore holes into wood to create a tunnel in which they raise their young. Adult bees emerge from their overwintering sites in old nest tunnels and mate in the spring. The female prepares a nest by excavating a new site, or more frequently by cleaning out and expanding an existing tunnel. After the nest is ready, the female places a mass of pollen mixed with nectar in the blind end of the tunnel, lays an egg on it, and builds a partition of chewed wood pulp to form a brood cell. Six to eight brood cells are constructed in each tunnel. The bee larvae develop on the pollen and emerge as adults 30 to 40 days later. There is one generation per year.

Treatment for carpenter bees should be performed at the first sign of them, usually in February. Suspend SC is a concentrated, general insecticide that can be sprayed in and around the holes. The residual of Suspend SC will not only kill adult bees but also the larvae as they emerge. If you have any questions about this product, please contact us.


Mud daubers, a type of wasp, are a source of common complaints from homeowners. They are solitary wasps as opposed to the social wasps (paper wasps and yellow jackets). The insect is usually a blue-black color with dark wings. They can make a variety of nest shapes or designs depending on the species. These mud nests are conspicous to the homeowner when found around doors, windows, eaves and on barns or sheds. The nests are placed in areas protected from the weather.

The wasp makes several individual mud structures. These are grouped together, attached in some cases, but each contain one egg. The egg hatches and the larvae feeds on spiders which have been paralyzed by the wasps sting and placed inside the cell.

Control is quite easy, knock down the nest. Wasps may fly around eaves to find spiders. Apply Suspend SC to the eaves. Not only will in kill the wasp if it comes in contact with the treated area, but it will also kill the spiders, further reducing the number of foraging wasps. If you have any questions about this product, please contact us.
Ticks, of course, are not insects. They are easily distinguished by the shape of their bodies- no distinct head and sac-like appearance of the body. Adults and nymphs have eight legs, while larvae (sometimes refered to as "seed ticks") have six legs.

Control measures should be taken both indoors and outdoors. For indoor and perimeter, Suspend SC should be used, Talstar Lawn & Tree Flowable is a good product for outdoors. Special attention should be paid to the areas frequented by dogs. If you have any questions about these products, please
contact us.


877-279-0308
TICK
Ticks, of course, are not insects. They are easily distinguished by the shape of their bodies- no distinct head and sac-like appearance of the body. Adults and nymphs have eight legs, while larvae (sometimes refered to as "seed ticks") have six legs.

Control measures should be taken both indoors and outdoors. For indoor and perimeter, Suspend SC should be used, Talstar Lawn & Tree Flowable is a good product for outdoors. Special attention should be paid to the areas frequented by dogs. If you have any questions about these products, please
contact us.


This page was last updated on: February 15, 2007

Mud daubers, a type of wasp, are a source of common complaints from homeowners. They are solitary wasps as opposed to the social wasps (paper wasps and yellow jackets). The insect is usually a blue-black color with dark wings. They can make a variety of nest shapes or designs depending on the species. These mud nests are conspicous to the homeowner when found around doors, windows, eaves and on barns or sheds. The nests are placed in areas protected from the weather.

The wasp makes several individual mud structures. These are grouped together, attached in some cases, but each contain one egg. The egg hatches and the larvae feeds on spiders which have been paralyzed by the wasps sting and placed inside the cell.

Control is quite easy, knock down the nest. Wasps may fly around eaves to find spiders. Apply Suspend SC to the eaves. Not only will in kill the wasp if it comes in contact with the treated area, but it will also kill the spiders, further reducing the number of foraging wasps. If you have any questions about this product, please contact us.
Keep checking this page. New pests will be added frequently.
Carpenter bees are large, robust insects that look much like bumble bees. They have a bare, shiny black abdomen with some yellow markings. Male carpenter bees, identified by a bright yellow spot in the middle of the head, are aggressive but harmless because they lack stingers. Females can sting if provoked.

Carpenter bees bore holes into wood to create a tunnel in which they raise their young. Adult bees emerge from their overwintering sites in old nest tunnels and mate in the spring. The female prepares a nest by excavating a new site, or more frequently by cleaning out and expanding an existing tunnel. After the nest is ready, the female places a mass of pollen mixed with nectar in the blind end of the tunnel, lays an egg on it, and builds a partition of chewed wood pulp to form a brood cell. Six to eight brood cells are constructed in each tunnel. The bee larvae develop on the pollen and emerge as adults 30 to 40 days later. There is one generation per year.

Treatment for carpenter bees should be performed at the first sign of them, usually in February. Suspend SC is a concentrated, general insecticide that can be sprayed in and around the holes. The residual of Suspend SC will not only kill adult bees but also the larvae as they emerge. If you have any questions about this product, please contact us.


CARPENTER BEE
MUD DAUBER
CICADA KILLER WASP
The cicada killer wasp, also known as the giant cicada killer, is one of the largest solitary, ground-burrowing wasps in the United States. It is found east of the Rocky Mountains and south into Mexico. Although it rarely stings, its large size and menacing behavior makes it a special concern, especially to individuals with young children or with a sensitivity to stings.

The cicada is a very large, robust wasp about 1 1/8 to 1 5/8 inches long. It has a black body marked with yellow across the thorax and on the first three abdominal segments, similar to the yellow jacket.

The cicada killer is commonly found in residental areas, city parks, forest edges, golf courses and oil tank farms. They burrow in grass covered or bare hills, banks and berms, as well as raised sidewalks, driveways and patio slabs, They can be found in loose clay to sandy soils, and in loose soils in planters, window boxes and flower beds. In late summer these wasps are commonly seen skimming lawn areas and flying around shrubs and trees looking for cicadas. The wasps, by paralizing cicadas with their sting, use them as food for thier offspring; the adults feed on flower nectar. Once the cicada is paralized, the wasp drags the cicada up a tree or post to gain height so it can fly back to its burrow. The wasp may have to do this several times with each cicada. These wasps dig holes in lawns, kicking out a large, horseshoe shaped pile of dirt around the nest entrance. The burrow is about  1/2 inch in diameter and may be 6 to 10 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches long. At the end of the burrow are three or four cells. One or two cicadas are placed in each cell; one egg is laid on a cicada in each cell. Several wasps will frequently make individual burrows in one location. These wasps are strong fliers and will travel a considerable distance in search of food. The female wasps rarely sting unless they are disturbed by unwary or frightened persons or by lawn equipment in their nest area.

Treating the lawn and ornamental garden on a regular basis with Delta Guard Granules is the best way to prevent burrowing. Suspend SC can be used as a drench treatment for existing nests, however, stinging insects are very dangerous and a professional should be retained for the task. If you have any questions about these products, please contact us.