What damage can cicada killer wasps cause to a lawn?

Cicada killer wasps primarily cause only minor damage by digging holes in lawns. These wasps are large and non-aggressive, and they create burrows in the ground to raise their young, which involves digging into the soil. While they do disturb the turf by creating these holes, the damage is quite localized and typically does not result in significant harm to the overall health of the lawn.

The burrowing can disrupt the grass surface, leading to unsightly holes, but the grass generally can recover without long-term effects. The wasps do not feed on the grass or cause disease, so their presence primarily affects the aesthetics rather than the health or structural integrity of the lawn. Thus, the characterization of their impact as only minor damage from their digging activities is accurate.