| Life Cycle of Cicadas | Cicadas’ life cycle is no different from any other insect. After a week of emerging in your yard, the adult cicadas will mate, and the female adult cicada lays eggs in groups in twigs near the end of branches. The eggs hatch in about 40-60 days and become nymphs. The nymphs drop to the ground, where they burrow themselves about one to two feet into the soil. They feed on the sap or fluids in the small roots of the host plant or trees. Nymphs resemble wingless adults. They are tan-brown with stout bodies and have strong front legs specialized for digging and tunneling the soil. They undergo growth spurts while underground. Soil temperatures of 64 degrees trigger the emergence of the nymphs. Nymphs crawl onto tree trunks, posts, and other uptight structures, and after a short period, they shed their skin to become winged adults. The adult cicadas live for about 14-50 days when they mate, lay eggs, and die. It takes 17 years for periodical cicadas to emerge in large numbers, commonly known as broods. |
| Safety Considerations about Cicadas | Cicadas are not harmful to humans or animals, as they don’t bite or sting. They may only swarm if they are agitated. Consider wearing sunglasses or other eye protection when getting rid of them from the trees or the shrubs.Cicadas eat tree sap and excrete excess liquid, which can irritate the skin. When doing yard work during a heavy cicada season, put on a wide-brimmed hat to prevent from contacting the fluid and suffer from irritation.Cicada season is also tick season. When inspecting the trees, deep lawns, and gardens, you may also examine for ticks around the same area. Wear appropriate protection gears such as repellent, long pants, and socks, and check yourself for ticks afterward. |
| Plant Protection Against Cicadas | Cicadas can damage the plants only as a result of their egg-laying habits. Female cicadas use an appendage, called an ovipositor, to make longitudinal slits or holes in twigs where they can deposit the eggs. Cicadas feed by sucking the plant fluid from tender young twigs. Other than these, cicadas do not impose harm to humans and pets. It is best that using insecticides are not used since they come to plants from locations outside the property in such large numbers. Spraying insecticides may only offer little benefits in getting rid of them. There are effective non-chemical methods of cicada treatment. Adult cicadas and nymphs can be handpicked off from the plants if they are found in small numbers. They can be knocked off as well by spraying water using a garden hose. The tree trunks and large bushes can be wrapped with a foil or sticky bands or barrier tape to catch the cicadas that are trying to move up the plants to feed or lay eggs. Nets can also be used to protect young and valuable plants. |
How to Get Rid of Cicadas
The cicadas are part of the Cicadoidea superfamily. They are physically known by their stout bodies, broad heads, clear-membraned wings, and large compound eyes. They are usually an inch or greater in size. They produce one of the loudest sounds by any insect and each species has its own unique songs.
There are more than 3,000 species of cicadas which belong to two categories: annual cicadas which are seen every year, and periodical cicadas, like Brood X (aka 17-year cicadas), that live underground and only emerge once every decade or two.
Cicadas are known for their buzzing and clicking noise. Male cicadas produce this species-specific noise with vibrating membranes on their abdomens. The sounds vary widely, and some species are more musical than others. they use different calls to express alarm or attract mates. However, when these sounds are increased in volumes, it becomes an overpowering hum that causes disturbance to humans. Their buzzing sounds can reach up to 100 decibels
Cicada infestations are an issue that often springs up in the late spring or early part of summer. Although not as destructive as locusts, they can still pose risks to animals, plants, and trees.
If you think there is an infestation of cicadas within your home, here are some ways to address them to avoid more damage and harm.
Inspect your Property For Signs of Cicadas
The first step you should do on how to get rid of cicadas is to locate the areas that they are infesting and the trees that they are feeding on. Search in tree trunks, shrubs, and ornamentals on your property. Cicadas are attracted to young trees for mating purposes.
Female cicadas lay eggs through a fascinating process where they make small slits into the branch of the tree. While this process is harmless to adult trees, young trees may not be able to handle this weight. You can protect trees, however, by covering them with cheesecloth.
Depending on the species, they can be found in a variety of places, but usually are found in near undisturbed woody areas where nymphs can grow underground by feeding on roots. They will usually perch in their host trees and sing away attracting other cicadas. They might blend in with the tree so look closely. V-shaped cuts in plant leaves may also indicate cicadas.
The best thing you should do is follow the sound they make. Cicadas can’t breed indoors. They won’t stay or reproduce in case they accidentally fly in through an open door.
Identifying Cicadas
Cicadas are large charismatic insects with sucking mouthparts which they use to feed on the water transporting tissue of the trees. They sing to attract a mate using sound vibration. Lawnmowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers also cause sound vibration. These sounds may encourage cicadas to think there’s a potential mate. They may come from a distance or come out from the ground to investigate.
There are two common types of cicadas. One is the dog-day or annual cicada, which occurs every summer. The other one is the periodical cicada which emerges every 17 years based on the timing of various broods. Remember that cicadas are not to be confused with cicada killer wasps, which are a separate insect species altogether.
Insecticides for Cicadas
A pesticide may resolve the noise and nuisance of cicadas, especially if they are already too much to handle. Unlike wasps, cicadas don’t sting, so they don’t need to be killed once seen in the area.
Cicada grubs will eat plant roots, and females may lay their eggs on plant leaves, so you may want to protect all of your plants with an insecticide. Treatment times for annual cicadas are early spring and late summer. A perimeter spray will likely help to eradicate cicadas.
Spray the insecticide three feet out from the foundation. However, it is essential to note that a perimeter spray may not be effective if the infestation is large. A professional pest control company may do the job for you.
More Information Related To Cicadas
Dealing with cicadas can get out of hand when not done right. Leave it to the experts. Visit Pest Guide now to know more.
Pro Tip
Cicadas stink when they die. Bury them in a deep hole to remove the smell.
Exterminator for Cicadas
A heavy infestation of cicadas in a sizable yard is still considered a lot of work and incorrect way of applying insecticides may only do more harm than good.
Whenever dealing with insecticides, the best way is to seek professional help. A pest control company has the necessary equipment and supplies to use in mitigating the areas where cicadas have infested. Pest control professionals can also efficiently set up netting and apply barrier tapes to strategically prevent cicadas infestation in the future. Contact Pestguide.org to help you address the cicadas infestation in your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes 13 to 17 years for cicadas to come out. Cicadas spend longer years underground, and they only come out once in a blue moon for a frenzy of activity.
Yes, cicadas serve a purpose. They prune mature trees, aerate the soil, and once they die, their bodies serve as an important source of nitrogen for growing trees.
Cicadas are known as harmless; however, some people have developed fear and phobia about cicadas when confronted with large numbers of said insects. An estimated five to six percent of adults and 10 percent of children suffer from animal phobias, including cicadas.
In 2021, all three 17-year cicada species, Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, and Magicicada septendecula, have emerged in at least 15 states in the United States, including Washington D.C. and New York. Despite all the pesticides being used to control them, they continue to exert their dominance in these areas.
The first step in a cicada treatment program is to inspect the surroundings where the pest cicadas live, assess the existing cicada’s behavior, and check whether the insect is an annual or periodical cicada.
Yes, covering the branches with mosquito netting can help control cicada infestation. Many pest controllers around the world have been using this technique to mitigate the cicada population in infested areas.
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