Hi,
We are having a problem with the cicada killers as they are taking the cicadas in a space between the edge of our pool and the concrete walkway.We have an in the ground pool and the rails all around have the pool have a space and it seems to be the favorite place for them to go. The children are scared because they fly around the gate that we enter to get to the pool and then at times they bring the cicadas and if the cicadas are too big to fit in the space they leave them there. We pick the cicada up and put it out in a wooded area.We have put sticks around the front end of the pool but they move them also.The walls of our pool are concrete but we are afraid to use anything to spray because we don’t know if it will seep into the walls and cause a problem. What do you suggest we do to rid us of these summer pests. Thanks for any help you can give us.
As explained in our CICADA KILLER CONTROL ARTICLE, this giant wasp is feeding on the hatching cicada’s no doubt active throughout your neighborhood. Trying to block them won’t do a thing as they are both big and strong. But a liquid treatment with the CYPERMETHRIN listed in our article will kill all the nests and the problem will be gone in one day if you use enough and distribute it where it matters.
As you can see on the product page for the Cypermethrin, you’ll only be mixing 1 oz per gallon of water so there is no way you can “hurt” your pool. In cases like this, the best approach is to wait till late evening around dusk. This assures all the adults will be back at the nest and settled in for the night. If the crack is large enough to pour a finished solution directly through the crack, I’d do the treatment using a bucket. Alternatively, you can remove the spray nozzle of most any pump sprayer and use it for the treatment too. Removing the nozzle insures a heavy dose of liquid will flow unobstructed so you’ll soak the nest quickly and thoroughly. Be sure to use enough solution and I suggest treating as many cracks surrounding the main ones. This will help prevent any nest from moving or relocating following the treatment. I expect you’ll need 1-2 gallons applied to insure a good treatment is done.
If you do it right the first time, there is no reason why you can’t kill off all the nests immediately. You should expect to see instant results and if you note any activity the following day, treat those areas again the following evening. Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Cicada Killer Control Article: http://www.bugspray.com/articles99/cicadakillers.html
Cypermethrin: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page519.html
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