What type of Bee or Wasp is this?

Question

I come home last night and there was nothing wrong with the grassy/dirt area along my sidewalk. My mother shows up this morning and there is a small pile of dirt in two places and a hole about the size of a marker and a huge bee/wasp about 2 inches long. Does anyone know what kind this might be? and the best way to get rid of it I have a three year old who plays outside most of the day.

Answer 1

That wasp is harmless.   The only wasps that you need to worry about are the ones that make the comb type nests under your eaves,  tables, chairs, or anything like that that is outside.  Hornets, yellow jackets and wasps. Bees,ie.. Bumble Bees, Honey Bees are really harmless and won't bother you. Usually when someone gets stung it's because they stepped on or messed with the bee.  

Answer 2

It sounds like a Dirt Dobber

Photo of the bee

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaker/3079...

Here is a photo of the whole.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaxzine/179...

I hope this helps

Answer 3

Does it look like this - http://www.cirrusimage.com/Lynette/cicad...

then its a cicada killer. They live in the midwest and are all over our yard right now in iowa and they eat cicadas. It says they very rarely sting so are mostly harmless. Only the females sting and the males will jab you w/ a spine on their back but only if you grab them roughly or step on them and etc. They are solitary too so it would be hard to get rid of them - I don't think you can.They're around from July to early september.  

Answer 4

Since you have a three year old don't take the chance. If this is what I think it is you need to invest in some wasp hornet killer and abide by the directions. There are millions of bugs of different degrees around the United States. Just because it sounds familiar to someone it is not worth the health of you or your child. Never take a "BUG" for granted because you do not know how you or someone else will react to it if it bites or stings you. Most people get bit by mosquitos and all they get is a red lump that itches like crazy if I get bit I am so allergic it will cause me to stop breathing. So a word to the wise, eliminate the bug and then you dont have to worry. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 5

Hole the size of a dime?   Cicada wasp, not aggresive, just big

no need to get rid of it.  it will catch a cicada bug, parilize it, lay an egg on it burry it and leave.