The Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) is a large insect often mistaken for more aggressive species like yellow jackets or the larger Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus). This solitary wasp’s presence is marked by small, excavated burrows in the soil. This seasonal event can be managed effectively without resorting to aggressive treatments. This guide details how to identify the wasp and provides practical, non-lethal steps for managing its nesting presence near your home.
Identifying the Great Golden Digger Wasp
The Great Golden Digger Wasp is a robust insect measuring over one inch in length, making it one of the larger wasps found in North America. Its appearance is distinct, featuring a black head and thorax covered in fine, golden-colored hairs, which gives the species its common name. The abdomen is a key identifier, typically being rusty-red or orange at the front segment, transitioning to black at the tip.
This species must be distinguished from the Cicada Killer Wasp, which is generally larger and has prominent yellow and black banding across its entire abdomen. Great Golden Digger Wasps are solitary; each female digs and provisions her own nest, unlike social wasps that form large, defensive colonies. The female wasp’s sting is reserved for paralyzing prey, such as katydids and crickets, and she is not aggressive toward people unless roughly handled.
Recommended Management: Coexistence and Passive Deterrence
Because the Great Golden Digger Wasp preys on pest insects and is a beneficial pollinator, coexistence is the recommended management strategy. The wasps are only present for a short period during the summer months, typically living for only one to two months as adults. They pose a low risk to people and pets because they only sting to subdue prey.
If a nesting burrow is located in a high-traffic area, passive deterrence methods can encourage the female to relocate her activity. Placing a physical barrier, such as a small stone or piece of wire mesh, directly over the burrow entrance can make the site less accessible. Alternatively, covering the immediate area with a layer of mulch or gravel makes the soil harder for the female to excavate. Chemical treatment is discouraged due to the wasp’s beneficial role in pest control and soil aeration.
In the rare event that the physical removal of a nest is deemed absolutely necessary, it should only be attempted after dark when the female is inside the burrow and less active. The most straightforward approach is to seal the burrow entrance with firmly packed soil or a heavy object. This non-chemical method forces the female to dig a new exit tunnel, which often prompts her to abandon the site for a less disturbed location.
Habitat Adjustments to Discourage Nesting
For long-term prevention, modifying the nesting environment is the most effective approach to discourage Great Golden Digger Wasps from establishing burrows. These wasps prefer to nest in bare, loose, or sandy soil that is exposed to full sunlight. They seek out well-drained, open areas, often in lawns, gardens, or unpaved paths.
To make the soil less attractive, one can increase its moisture content by regularly watering the area where nesting is occurring or has occurred in the past. Ground wasps find it difficult to dig in wet or compacted soil, which makes regular irrigation an effective deterrent. Covering bare ground with dense groundcover plants, a thick layer of mulch, or sod also removes the open, sunny soil surface the female wasps require for excavation. This long-term environmental modification makes the entire area inhospitable, encouraging the wasps to find a more suitable location elsewhere.