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Sand Hornet Facts

The sand hornet, also called the cicada killer, is a type of wasp that burrows itself into the sand to make itself a home. They are fairly large, measuring 1 1/8 inches to 1 5/8 inches. The sand hornet is mostly black with a yellow abdomen and a red head and thorax.

Habitat
- Sand hornets are mainly found in the Midwestern and southern United States. It is uncommon for wasps to burrow into the ground, as most types of wasps build their nests in trees or against a structure well above ground. A sand hornet's home is characterized by the mound of sand that surrounds the hole. The female sand hornet digs the nest in sandy areas such as berms, grass-covered banks, driveways and patio slabs. Other sand hornets have been known to nest in planters, window boxes and flower beds, under shrubs and where vegetation is sparse.
Life Cycle
- One generation of sand hornets occurs every year. The pupae stage occurs in the spring and the adult appears in mid-June to early July. Adult sand hornets live about 60 to 75 days and, during this time, they dig their nests. The burrows (or nests) consist of a tunnel about 6 inches deep and another 6 to 8 inches horizontally. It's at the end of these horizontal tunnels that there are three to four rounded cells where the sand hornet will bring its prey and deposit one egg. These eggs are deposited in late July and throughout August. The eggs hatch in one to two days. The newly hatched larva will feed on the cicada prey for four to 10 days.
Female vs. Male
- The female sand hornet isn't aggressive but will sting prey to defend her nest. They will also sting if provoked, caught in clothing or disturbed by lawn equipment. Male sand hornets, on the other hand, are more aggressive, especially when they are mating, but they don't sting. It is the female sand hornet that traps and kills the cicada, then drags the insect into the underground burrow.
Pest Control
- If you need to treat your lawn for sand hornets, do so at night when it's much cooler and the females are in the nests. A red-cellophane-covered flashlight will help you locate the nests. You can use bendicarb (Ficam), carbaryl (Sevin) or diazinon dust at the entrance of each nest or burrow. Do not disturb the burrow as the female needs to walk through the dust to get a dose of the insecticide.

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