Cicada Killers

[mum5]

We have cicada killers in a part of our garden that is near our pond. The soil is sandy, probably really low in nutrients, and gets lots of sun, pretty much all day.

I want to deter them from the area. Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove them, without using chemicals?

[Ruthiegirl]

We have a lot of those in areas where the soil is very dry.  We had a spot that was near our back steps (and children's feet and small bodies) and I wanted to discourage them.  I simply watered a lot, dug the soil a bit to loosen it up and started some grass seed.  The cicada killers moved on.  

They really don't seem to be pests and from what I have read, they will not sting unless provoked.  We have them in dry areas away form the house which I don't mind, but would rather that they not be close to the house and our bare feet.  

[jokcoen]

Yeah, the above works because cicada killers have burrowing nests instead of typical overhang nests. The most basic and organic ways of pest control would be to use mint oil or detergent to spray around the area to deter them. As these wasps are not really invasive, they shouldn't be feeding on your own food, but if they are use a beef liver to lay out to direct them to eat. This will distract them from eating your food and getting in your territory. For a trap, try using sugar syrup at the bottom of a cut inverted-top 2 liter bottle for a simple funnel trap.