July and August create an invitation for Cicada Killers, otherwise known as “Sand Hornets,” to emerge from their ground nests. The term hornet is not used properly because the cicada killer is not a type of hornet; it actually is a species of wasp.
This type of wasp is yellow and black in color using mimicry to imitate other dangerous insects thus providing protection against potential predators. Cicada killers also have the distinctive ability to move quickly, almost as if they are attacking anything that gets near the nest which is another protection mechanism. The action of quick movements can be very intimidating. The male cicada killer is very good at bluffing invaders.
Cicada Killers are not necessarily dangerous to humans unless one has allergic reactions to wasp stings. The male only has a rubbery stinger that cannot penetrate human skin. But the female does have a stinger that is capable of a sting and is used to paralyze other insects such as the cicada that will be used for a food supply later for the developing larvae in the nest. Unless the female is directly handled or threatened stings will not occur.
One of the major reasons for control of cicada killers is their bluffing action that may be near to sidewalks, lawns or concrete slabs causing a psychological reaction of fear to humans. Another reason is damage to well managed lawns by making holes in the yard that then yield adult “killers” in numbers that increase year after year. Control is made easier by treating each hole individually with dust generally in July and early August.