They're Back!

I first blogged about the Cicada Killer Wasps back in 2009 when a half dozen dug burrows in our front lawn. They've returned to do they same each year hence. In ever increasing numbers!

Two years ago we had our in-ground swimming pool removed from the back yard. The contractor filled in the hole and topped it off with so-so quality top soil. Consequently the new grass has taken some time to establish a good thick turf. Meanwhile the wasps have found this area ideal for establishing their nest burrows.  Literally hundreds of little mounds of excavated soil dot the landscape. It is unsightly for sure to say nothing of inhibiting the development of a the luxurious carpet of lawn to which every suburbanite aspires.

Well, they're back again this year doing their thing. They find cicadas up in the trees and paralyze them with a sting. Then gripping their prey under their body fly down to their burrows to stow them away and deposit their eggs in them. Gross eh? Occasionally the wasps will miss the bare landing area by their nest and being unable to take off with their heavy load they have to struggle though the grass to make it home.

Suddenly the bluejays returned to the yard after more than a month's absence. I noticed the jays will sit on the fence or clothes line poles and occasionally make a quick visit to the ground. What are they after? When it spots a wasp trying to drag its booty through the turf the jay will swoop down knock the wasp over and steal the cicada. Quite the opportunist.

“You can observe a lot by just watching.”
     - Yogi Berra