My Creepy Quandry-Resolved

Photo courtesy of Henderson State University.


Yesterday I blogged about the Cicada Killers that appear to have taken over our yard. Should I live and let live, or resort to my own killer technique?

I've decided that so far they've done nothing other than scare the bejeebers out of me. What I've read indicates that they won't go after people unless you provoke them or mess with their nest. Guess I can understand that. I'd be pretty peeved if someone provoked me or messed with my nest, too!

So the decision is this: the Cicada Killers and I will live in harmony for the next few weeks of their existence.

Of course, next summer when their young emerge, we'll see if I change my mind!

My Creepy Quandry

This image from Chuck Holliday's website gives a hint of size.

Over the weekend I discovered the most enormous wasps I've ever seen in our yard. I'm typically not bee/wasp-skittish, but these critters made me run away faster than a jackrabbit from a hound dog.

Could they be some new super-duper species?

I made it to the computer for a quick look and found their picture. Apparently I have wasps with a purpose. Their name says it all...Cicada Killers. Holy smokes! The name alone sounded pretty intimidating, but according to what I read, they don't bother humans unless you tamper with their nest. And that nest just happens to be burrowed into the ground.

Apparently these huge guys live only to sting and kill a cicada, then carry it back home for their larvae to feed upon. And it seems they only live for a couple of months, so the question is...

Do I try and get rid of them, or wait it out?