Killer wasps? Only the cicadas need to worry

K-State horticulture expert says common wasp causes little damage to landscapes

At a glance: Cicada killer wasps build nests in lawn and garden areas around the home, as they seek out the six-legged, five-eyed cicada whose steady buzz can be heard on most summer nights in Kansas.

More information: Matt McKernan, hortsupport@ksu.edu

Closeup, cicada killer wasp on a green leaf

The cicada killer wasp, approximately 2 inches long, can look intimidating, but the insect is mostly a threat only to cicadas.

June 16, 2026

K-State Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. — They may look brilliant to the human eye, but cicada killer wasps are certainly no ally to the six-legged, five-eyed cicada whose steady buzz can be heard on most summer nights in Kansas.

Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan said it is common for cicada killer wasps to build nests in lawn and garden areas around the home.

“At about two inches long, cicada killers are an intimidating wasp. They have reddish-brown colored wings, head and legs and a black abdomen with wide, yellow stripes,” McKernan said.

Females have a stinger that is used to paralyze their prey. McKernan said they rarely sting people unless provoked. Males are smaller and do not have a stinger.

“Although males tend to be more aggressive, they are not harmful since they cannot sting you,” McKernan noted. “Male cicada killers establish territories near a female’s nest, and fly around patrolling for intruders. Once they determine you are not a threat, they tend to fly off.”

“Females are responsible for locating cicadas and paralyzing them with their stinger. She then carries the cicada back to her underground burrow. Each burrow contains three to four cells, each with one or two cicadas,” McKernan said.

There is one generation per year of cicada killers, beginning with larvae hatching. Adult cicada killers are most abundant during late June, July and August, then die in early fall.

“Cicada killers typically cause very little damage to the landscape. A heavy infestation may become a nuisance as they protect their nests, and the burrows may be considered unsightly, especially in a lawn area,” McKernan said.

Cicada killers prefer to locate their nests in areas with full sun and well-drained, light soils, he added.

“They may burrow along sidewalks or flowerbeds but do not like areas covered with mulch,” McKernan said. “Maintaining a thick, healthy lawn is the best control for preventing burrows.”

McKernan warns that pesticides are not usually necessary since adults are only present for about two and a half months beginning mid- to late summer, and usually do not sting humans unless provoked. In areas of frequent human activity, permethrin may be applied to the opening of burrows for control.

McKernan and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.

Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to

McKernan at hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Extension office.

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K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the wellbeing of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.