Cicada Killer Control

Cicada Killers In Central Texas

Cicada killers are the largest wasps most people ever see here, and their size makes them far more alarming than they actually are.

Despite looking like a giant hornet, the cicada killer is a solitary wasp with little interest in people, so the problem it causes is mostly the burrows and the scare.

Signs You Have Cicada Killers

Cicada killers give themselves away in mid-summer:

• Very large wasps hovering low over the lawn.
• Pencil-sized burrows with small mounds of excavated soil.
• Burrows in bare, sandy, or dry patches of the yard.
• Males darting at people who walk through their area.
• Wasps carrying cicadas back to their burrows.

Are Cicada Killers Dangerous?

Cicada killers are mostly bark and no bite. Despite the alarming size, they are not aggressive. The males that dart at people cannot sting at all, and the females sting only if they are grabbed or stepped on.

For nearly everyone, they are one of the least dangerous large wasps, though anyone with a severe venom allergy should still avoid handling one, as the NIH MedlinePlus guide to insect stings notes. The real nuisance is the burrows they dig across a lawn.

How We Get Rid of Cicada Killers

Stride treats cicada killers through the five-step Stride Forward process, aimed at the burrows and the soil that draws them:

1. Inspect. We find the burrows and map the bare, sandy areas where they are nesting.
2. Identify. We confirm cicada killers and rule out more dangerous wasps.
3. Recommend. We point out the turf and soil fixes that make the yard less inviting.
4. Treat. We treat the burrows and nesting area to reduce the population.
5. Evaluate. We follow up, since thick turf and treated burrows keep them from returning.

Our GreenPro certification guides this reduced-risk approach.

How to Keep Cicada Killers Away

Keeping cicada killers out is mostly about the lawn:

• Keep turf thick and healthy, since they avoid dense grass.
• Reduce bare, sandy, and dry patches where they dig.
• Water and maintain the lawn to close up open soil.
• Fill in burrows after treatment.
• Address favored areas before mid-summer, when they emerge.

Cicada Killer Control Frequently Asked Questions

Stride Forward is our Integrated Pest Management program where we partner with our clients in the long-term removal and prevention of pests. Keeping your property free of unwanted insects and rodents works best when we work together.

The program combines habitat manipulation, biological control, cultural behavior changes, and the targeted use of products designed to repel or eradicate pests. Our approach follows five steps, with non-chemical methods prioritized before any product application.

Our Certifications & Awards

Stride Pest Control holds QualityPro and GreenPro certifications through the NPMA’s Foundation for Professional Pest Management, and fewer than 3% of pest control companies nationwide hold both. QualityPro requires background checks on every service member, a drug-free workplace, and 16 standards that exceed state and federal requirements.

Our Austin and Round Rock office operates under Texas Department of Agriculture license TPCL #667951, with Burton Johnston as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our San Antonio office operates under TPCL #827449, with Alex Randall as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our office manager, Michael Honeycutt, is an Associate Certified Entomologist through the Entomological Society of America.

Founded in 2013, we have served nearly 12,000 customers across Central Texas and hold a 4.9-star rating across 2,400+ reviews with an A+ from the BBB.