1.       Digger Wasps : may be noticed by 100s of small bees hovering over a lawn area.

a.       They are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and variable in color (mostly shiny metallic or dark, but some with markings of white, yellow or reddish brown). There is one generation of digger bees per summer and once the adults finish perpetuating the species by laying eggs of the next generation there will be no activity till the following spring.

b.      Digger wasp nests are commonly located in areas of the landscape where the grass is sparse, either from too much shade, previous drought conditions or other stress. It is tempting to blame the bees for causing the turf grass to be thin but it is the opposite; the bees are in the yard because the grass was already thin. The entrances to the tunnels (mounds of soil) are disruptive and annoying to the homeowner but are not usually damaging to otherwise healthy turf.

2.       Cicada Killer Wasp: may be noted by many extremely large wasps hovering over the lawn and making large holes in ground the size of a quarter and dirt mound.

a.       Cicada killer wasps may be up to 2 inches long. They are black with yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen and they have rusty colored wings. The great golden digger wasp is slightly smaller. The abdomen is reddish-orange except at the tip which is black. A third species is 1 inch long and completely black with iridescent blue wings.

b.      Female cicada killer wasps capture annual cicadas in July and August and place them in cells located at the ends of tunnels they have dug in the ground. Each tunnel is about the size of a quarter and extends 24 inches or more into the ground. One or two paralyzed cicadas are placed in each cell, and a single egg deposited before the cell is closed by the female, who flies away, never to return. The wasp grubs feed on the cicadas and develop into wasps that emerge the following summer.

3.       Carpenter bees: If you see a number of large bees hovering near the eaves of the house or drilling in wood, you have carpenter bees.

a.       They resemble bumblebees in both size and appearance, but are not social insects. They construct their nests in trees or in frame buildings. Most of the top of the abdomen of carpenter bees is without hairs and is shiny black in color. There is only one species of the large carpenter bees.

b.      The male bee is unable to sting. It is the male carpenter bee, which is most often noticed. They hover in the vicinity of the nest and will dart after any other flying insect that ventures into their territory. A common behavior of the males is to approach people if they move quickly or wave a hand in the air. The males may even hover a short distance from people causing unnecessary panic. The female however, is capable of stinging but seldom does. She must be extremely provoked (i.e. handled) before she will sting.

4.       Spring Tales: a very large number of these bugs may appear in your lawn or on driveway during wet weather in spring. millions may be seen in water puddles or dam areas.

a.       Springtails are very small, jumping insects that sometimes alarm homeowners by appearing in large numbers in moist indoor areas such as kitchen sinks, bathtubs, and in the soil of houseplants. They may also be found outdoors in swimming pools, moist landscaped areas or vegetable gardens, and on the surface of mud puddles. They usually appear in the spring and early summer, but can be found year-round in moist environments.

b.      Because they jump when disturbed, springtails are sometimes confused with fleas. However, springtails do not bite humans or pets, nor do they spread disease or damage household furnishings. They are mainly a nuisance by their presence.

5.       Citronella Ants (yellow ant): you may find large swarms of these reddish winged ants in a basement or garage area, usually in large clusters close to a crack in the floor.

a.       The citronella ant does not cause structural damage and is usually more of a nuisance. They can get inside your home by crawling through cracks in the foundation and openings around doors and windows. Unlike many of the other ant pests, citronella ants will not get into your food products. Citronella ants prefer to nest outdoors in open areas like your lawn. You may notice small mounds of deposited soil at the openings to their nest.

b.      Citronella ants are often confused with termites because not only are they similar in color but they also swarm. Reproductive male and female ants often swarm in mid to late summer. You may see a swarm of these winged citronella ants resting on the side of your house, but a citronella ant infestation is not likely to happen within your home.

All County can perform a Home/Pest Evaluation if you have any further questions or concerns about your home and how it relates to pest prevention. Our Home Protection Plan is the best pest protection for you, your family and your home.