Talstar P will kill Cicada Killer that come into contact with treated areas for a sufficient amount of time to receive a lethal dose. You will need to dilute 1 fl oz of Talstar P per gallon of water and broadcast spray over the areas where you have noticed activity. Most folks notice only very limited results from broadcast sprays of insecticides for cicada killers because they don't land and walk around for a long enough time before entering their underground burrow. Please read below for the most effective treatment method:
Cicada Killer wasps thrive in disturbed environments, such as landscaped yards and places where bare soil is exposed. You can discourage the wasps from nesting in your yard by cutting your grass on the highest setting and by adding a thick layer of mulch to flower beds during the Cicada Killer Wasp season. These wasps do not like over saturated lawns either, so over watering during their season will help prevent them. Unfortunately, there is no fool proof way to prevent cicada killer wasps.For prevention you can try to use a granular insecticide such as Talstar PL Granules in the couple of weeks before this pest is known to emerge. For current infestations, you would need to use Delta dust in each individual burrow.
We also like to let our customers know that the Cicada Killer wasps are beneficial insects that provide free pest control for a couple months each year. Cicada killer wasps paralyze and provision their burrows with other insects to feed their young. The beneficial Cicada killer wasps, while large and intimidating to see, are mostly harmless and there have been very few reports of anyone getting stung by just being near them. In most cases where a sting was reported, the wasps were being held or molested in some way. Cicada Killer Wasp stings are also reported to be almost painless.
Wasp Freeze is a product that will kill wasps if they are sprayed mid-air; however for long-term results, it works best on exposed nests that you can spray directly. If you see where they are entering, we recommned that you use a hand duster and apply a dust such as Tempo dust to the holes where the wasps are going in and out. The dust will help eliminate the wasps in the nest and any other wasps returning to the nest. Tempo dust will stay effective for several months as long as it is dry. After dusting in the void where the wasps have a built a nest you can try spraying the siding with a product such as Talstar P. You can spray once a month and any wasp that lands on treated areas will be eliminated within about 24 hours which should stop new wasps from being able to build a nest.
Talstar P (Talstar One) would be applied at 0.5 to 1 oz per gallon of water. The higher rate for heavy infestations or first application.
Per the Talstar Label, to ensure optimum control, delay watering (irrigation) or mowing for 24 hours after application. If the grass area is being maintained at a mowing height of greater than 1 inch, then higher application rates (Up to 1 fluid oz. per 1000 square feet) may be required during periods of high pest pressure.
Talstar P is our most popular general use insecticide and the most widely used by professional pest control companies. It can be used indoors as well as outside, and it is odorless and very safe to use when children and pets are present. The key to scorpion control is a very thorough outside treatment around the foundation of your home. For scorpions, you should treat around the exterior of your home every 30 days in the spring and summer when scorpions are most active.
If you are indeed dealing with boxelder bugs, and what you have described does sound like boxelder bugs, then a product called Talstar P will do a great job for you. Talstar P can be sprayed directly on the plant foliage and it can be used on and in the house. We do recommend that you look up a few pictures of boxelder bugs online just to be sure they match the insect that you have spotted at your home.
Talstar P is not labeled to be used around anything edible. It can stay in the soil for up to 5-7 years so any treated soil would not be able to be used. For treating fire ant mounds in a garden you could use Martins Surrender Fire Ant Killer which is labeled for use on selected agricultural crops and food bearing plants.
According to the Talstar P product label "all pesticide handlers must wear a respiratory protection device when working in a non-ventilated space." Respiratory devices are not required for well ventilated spaces or outdoor applications. The Talstar P product label also says "all applicators should wear longsleeved shirt and long pants, socks, shoes and chemical-resistant gloves."
Talstar will not harm chameleons or lizards, but it will kill the insects in the area they feed on so you may notice a decline in the number you see around as their food sources will be more scarce. Butterflies and bees are insects and will be affected by an insecticide like Talstar and any other product the same way the target pests like ants and spiders would be. The best way to reduce the chance of the Talstar affecting the bees, butterflies and beneficial insects is to spray later in the day when they are not active and are back in their homes/nests, and try to avoid blooms of flowers and plants they would be using for pollenation. Most structural insects you would be targeting are not going to be landing in the same places they would be so it helps keep you from doing as much damage.
Talstar P should not cause any harm or staining to flooring or other surfaces. It should only be applied to cracks and crevices indoors and not on the open floor space.