Cicada season poses a great threat to our garden. These pesky creatures will munch on your plants and wreak havoc unless you take preventive measures.
This article explores effective strategies honed through my years of experience to safeguard your plants during Cicada season. I’ll cover physical barriers, essential care practices, and safety tips for navigating the cicada influx.
What Are Cicadas?
Cicadas are fascinating insects known for their loud buzzing and long lifespans. There are over 3,000 species of cicadas worldwide, found in temperate and tropical climates. Most cicadas are annual cicadas, emerging every year. However, North America is home to a special group called periodical cicadas. These incredible insects have lifespans of either 13 or 17 years.
Incredible Feats: The Periodical Cicada Life Cycle
Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on plant sap from roots with straw-like mouthparts. After their extended underground stay, a brood (a large group of cicadas with the same emergence time) emerges all at once, following a synchronized schedule determined by their specific brood.
This mass emergence overwhelms potential predators, making it more likely some cicadas will survive to reproduce.
Adult cicadas only live for a few short weeks, their primary goal being to find a mate. The males, recognizable by their large abdomens and membranous wings, produce the characteristic buzzing sound using special organs called tymbals.
This loud song attracts females who have smaller abdomens and lack tymbals. After mating, the females lay eggs in small slits on twigs or branches of trees and shrubs. These eggs hatch into nymphs that burrow underground, restarting the lengthy cycle.
Cicada Characteristics
- Insects: Cicadas, also known as true bugs, belong to the order Hemiptera and are related to smaller jumping insects like leafhoppers.
- Compound Eyes: Cicadas have prominent bulging eyes on either side of their heads, which provide excellent vision. They also have three tiny ocelli (simple eyes) arranged in a triangle between the compound eyes.
- No Sting: Despite their large size, cicadas are harmless to humans. They do not bite or sting.
- Predators: Birds, raccoons, and other animals enjoy cicadas as a food source during emergence periods.
- Annual vs. Periodical: While periodical cicadas are famous for their extended lifespans, most cicada species only live for one year.
- Loud Buzz: The buzzing sound produced by male cicadas can be incredibly loud, with some species reaching over 100 decibels – about as loud as a chainsaw [2]. The loudest cicada species, Brevisana brevis from Africa, is thought to be the loudest insect in the world.
- Red Eyes: Many cicada species have striking red eyes, adding to their unique appearance.
- Misnamed Locusts: Although sometimes called “17-year locusts,” cicadas are not locusts. Locusts are a type of grasshopper known for swarming and devastating crops.
- Largest Cicada: Southeast Asia’s Giant Cicada (megapomponia imperatoria) is the world’s largest cicada species, with a wingspan reaching up to 9 inches.
Cicadas are vital to healthy ecosystems, providing a food source for many animals and turning nutrients from the soil back into the trees. Their unique life cycles and buzzing songs make them fascinating to the natural world, inspiring awe and even a touch of cicada mania when they emerge in large numbers.
How to Protect Your Plants, Flower Beds, and Vegetable Patches From Cicadas?
We all have those precious plants we nurture, and cicadas can be a real pain for them. Those little buggers spend years underground chewing on roots, but the real damage comes when they turn into adults. With their pointy egg-laying tools, the female cicadas love targeting young trees and shrubs.
This can mess up new branches and stunt growth. Now, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to keep my garden safe.
Use Netting: For young trees and shrubs that are vulnerable, netting is a lifesaver. Look for a lightweight option with holes smaller than half an inch. This acts like a shield, stopping those females from getting to the branches. Here’s a pro tip: drape the netting loosely around the top of the plant, leaving some space for air to flow. Then, secure it to the trunk with some twine or garden tape. Make sure there aren’t any gaps for cicadas to sneak in! Remember to take it down after a few weeks once the cicada activity has calmed down.
Use Repellents: Want to keep things eco-friendly? You can try spraying your plants with a neem oil or insecticidal soap solution.
These natural repellents can make cicadas think twice about landing and laying eggs.
Let me tell you, neem oil worked wonders on my rose bushes last cicada season. Just remember to dilute the oil following the instructions on the package, test it on a small part of the plant first to see if it has any bad reactions, and reapply the solution every few days, especially after it rains.
Pruning for Prevention: Before cicada season arrives, I prune any dead or diseased branches. This not only keeps my plants healthy overall, but it also makes them less appealing for egg-laying. Think of it as spring cleaning for your garden! Focus on getting rid of weak or spindly branches, and don’t be afraid to give your plants a little shaping.
This allows for better air circulation and sunlight to reach the whole plant, which is another way to deter cicadas.
Tips to Protect Specific Types of Greenery From Cicadas
-
Fortifying Your Fruit Trees:
When it comes to fruit trees, they’re basically cicada buffets – so we have to go all-in on the defense.
I always recommend using double-netting to prevent cicadas from destroying fruit trees. Why, you ask? Well, netting is a super strong shield wrapped around your tree. It’s an extra line of defense. On top of it, I have another secret weapon: aluminum foil.
Wrap a loose band around the bottom of the trunk. It’s like a shiny guard stopping cicada babies from climbing up. Just remember to take it off after a few weeks; otherwise, it might hurt the tree.
Let’s Talk Specific Fruits: Some fruits need a little extra love. For example, Apple and pear trees. These trees are like cicada magnets. So on top of the netting, grab trunk protectors made of burlap or fabric, like putting on tough clothes to stop those egg-laying females.
Stone fruits like peaches and plums are a bit tougher, but still keep an eye on them, especially the younger branches. Those are more likely to get messed up by the cicadas laying eggs.
- Protecting Your Delicate Flowers:For your delicate flowers, go with small tents made of lightweight fabric. That’s what floating row covers are! They let the light and air in but keep those cicadas out.
Here’s a gardener’s secret: use hoops or stakes to hold them up; otherwise, they might crush your flowers.
- For Vegetable Patches:Do you possess a vegetable garden? Watch out, cicadas love them! You can use the same netting trick we talked about earlier for young plants. Here’s another cool idea: plant some marigolds or mint around the edges. They have a strong smell that cicadas (and other pests) find disgusting.
Effective Cicada Repellent Strategies I’ve Tested
I know those cicadas drive you nuts, but there are ways to fight back without harsh chemicals. Physical barriers are definitely best, but we can also try some natural stuff.
First up, herbal sprays—You know those nice-smelling herbs like rosemary, lavender, and peppermint? Turns out, cicadas hate them. We can make our own spray by steeping these herbs in water and misting it right on the plants. This won’t last forever, especially after rain, so you have to reapply it.
Next, diatomaceous earth—It sounds fancy, but it’s basically powder made from old sea creatures. It dries out bugs on contact, which is bad news for cicadas. But be careful with this one; it can irritate your skin and lungs if you breathe it in. Use a little bit, only around the base of trees where those cicadas like to hang out.
Caution: When using any repellent, always test it on a small area of the plant first to check for any adverse reactions.
The Importance of Timing:Do not take the Cicada season lightly! Timing is everything when it comes to cicada defense. Plan in advance, including preparing the netting, collecting or making the repellents, and getting your whole cicada protection operation ready.
Know when Cicada season arrives: It all begins when the first heatwave of late spring or early summer hits. Monitor local forecasts to know when cicadas are entering the picture.
Know that your best defense is a multi-layered one that involves using a combination of physical barriers like netting, natural repellents like neem oil, and strategic timing.
A Gardener’s Experimentation: Alternative Deterrents I Use to Repel Cicadas:
We all know the usual tricks to keep cicadas away, but a curious gardener like me can’t resist trying new things. So, here are some offbeat deterrents I’ve experimented with, and let me tell you, the results are interesting!
- First up, these sonic blaster things. Stores sell them, saying they zap cicadas with a sound that humans can’t hear. Now, science on this is iffy, but a solar-powered one I tried worked okay in a small corner of my garden. I just wouldn’t get your hopes too high though!
- Next, there’s the coffee grounds craze. Everyone seems to swear by them for cicadas! The strong smell might make you wrinkle your nose, but the results are all over the map. In my experience, they worked best as a mild repellent around smaller plants.
- Last but not least, sticky traps. They are not prize-winners in the aesthetics department, but they can catch adult cicadas. Just remember, good bugs can get stuck too. Use these strategically, far away from your beloved plants.
How to Stay Safe While Tending to Your Garden During Cicada Season
These flying fiends are notorious for their kamikaze dives, and let’s be real, nobody wants a face full of bugs! Here’s my battle plan for staying safe and sane while tending to your garden during cicada season:
Dress Up For Safety: Gardening gloves are a must-have, but level up your defense with some safety glasses this year. A wide-brimmed hat is your new best friend, blocking surprise cicada bumps mid-snip. Trust me, I’ve been there and done that, and it’s not a story I want to share.
Shake Those Cicada Hitchhikers: Cicadas have a thing for light colors. So avoid the light clothes and opt for long-sleeved, dark-colored clothing. Moreover, tuck your pants into your socks. It might look silly, but it’s better than a surprise cicada up your leg.
Boots Up:Always wear closed-toe shoes when it’s cicada season. Look for sturdy treads to navigate the fallout zone.
The Super Scarf: A lightweight scarf is your multi-tool against cicadas. Tie it around your neck for protection, wipe away sweat, or even MacGyver it into a bug net for quick tasks.
Peace Through Quiet: Cicadas are loud. If the constant buzzing puts a damper on your gardening zen, invest in noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. Your ears will thank you!
Cool Down, Don’t Bug Out: Cicadas love hot weather, just like us. Beat the heat with breathable clothes and a cooling bandana or vest. Staying cool will keep you comfy and less attractive to cicadas, who hone in on body heat.
What should you do if Cicadas have already damaged your garden?
Post-Cicada Pruning: Once the cicadas have disappeared, take a close look at your plants. Twigs with wilted leaves or excessive scarring can be pruned away. This encourages new growth and helps the plant focus its energy on healthy parts. Remember, don’t go overboard with pruning – let the plant guide you!
Rejuvenation: After cicada feeding, plants might need some extra love. Increase their watering frequency, especially during hot weather, to compensate for lost fluids. Consider applying a balanced fertilizer to give your plants a nutrient boost as they recover.
Nature’s Mulch: Cicadas themselves become a natural fertilizer once they die. Leave their remains on the ground as mulch – they’ll decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil, aiding your garden’s overall health.
How to Support Wildlife During Cicada Season
Cicadas are a buffet for many animals. While they might munch on your plants, they also provide a vital food source for birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other insects. Here’s how you can create a win-win situation for your garden and local wildlife:
Bird Buffet: Consider putting out bird feeders during cicada season. This can help draw hungry birds away from your vulnerable plants, allowing them to feast on the cicadas instead.
Natural Habitat: Providing a natural habitat in your garden with things like brush piles and logs can attract insect-eating animals like praying mantises and assassin bugs. These beneficial predators will help keep cicada populations in check naturally.
The Double Brood Event: Billions of Cicadas to Emerge in 2024
Gear up for an unforgettable natural phenomenon this spring! Across the eastern United States, a rare and extraordinary event is about to unfold. For the first time in 221 years, two colossal broods of cicadas, Brood XIII and Brood XIX, are synchronizing their emergence from their underground slumber. That’s right, billions of these fascinating insects are about to erupt from the earth in a buzzing, chirping spectacle!
These aren’t your ordinary cicadas that grace your backyard every summer. These periodical cicadas, Brood XIII and Brood XIX, have spent an extraordinary amount of time (either 13 or 17 years) living in darkness beneath the soil, feeding on tree roots. Now, after more than a decade underground, they’re driven by a primal urge to emerge, mate, and reproduce before succumbing to natural causes.
Brood XIX:
Often called the “Great Southern Brood,” Brood XIX is the largest periodical cicada brood by geographical extent. Its range stretches from the East Coast (Maryland to Georgia) to the Midwest (Iowa to Oklahoma). Interestingly, despite the “southern” moniker, Brood XIX has even been documented in northern Illinois. This brood consists of four species: Magicicada neotredecim, Magicicada tredecim, Magicicada tredecassini, and Magicicada tredecula.
Brood XIII:
Reputedly boasting the largest emergence of cicadas by sheer size, Brood XIII is a formidable force. While not overlapping significantly, these two broods will emerge in close proximity in a thin zone across central and eastern Illinois (Macon, Sangamon, Livingston, and Logan counties).
A Historic Double Emergence: Witnessing a 221-Year Cycle
The upcoming cicada emergence is a historic event for several reasons. Typically, periodical cicadas emerge in broods with specific prime number life cycles, either 13 or 17 years. The reason for these prime number cycles is a fascinating evolutionary adaptation. By emerging in large numbers at infrequent intervals, cicadas overwhelm predators, increasing the chances that enough individuals will survive to reproduce.
However, the co-emergence of two separate broods with different life cycles – Brood XIII (13 years) and Brood XIX (17 years) – is exceptionally rare. The last time this happened was in 1803 when Thomas Jefferson was still president! The odds of witnessing such an event again in your lifetime are incredibly slim. In fact, experts had predicted that there wouldn’t be a similar event until 2245. However, it is happening now!
What to Expect During the Cicada Invasion
The grand cicada emergence is expected to begin in late April and continue for about six weeks. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
- A Chorus of Billions: Brace yourself for a symphony of sound! As billions of cicadas erupt from the ground, the males will begin their loud, rhythmic singing to attract mates. This buzzing sound, produced by special organs called tymbals, can reach up to 90 decibels – about as loud as a lawnmower!
- A Feast for Predators: The sudden emergence of billions of insects creates a feeding frenzy for birds, rodents, and other creatures. It’s a natural population control mechanism, ensuring the cicada population doesn’t explode out of control.
- A Short-Lived Spectacle: While the number of cicadas might seem overwhelming, rest assured their stay will be brief. The adult cicadas will die after a few weeks of mating and laying eggs. Their young nymphs will hatch later in the summer, but they’ll be tiny and burrow underground for another 13 or 17 years, continuing the fascinating cicada life cycle.
Cicada FAQS
Why do cicadas make noise?
Male cicadas produce noise to attract females for mating. They have special structures called tymbals on their abdomen that vibrate to create their loud buzzing sound. This noise is also a way to ward off predators and communicate with other cicadas.
Are cicadas and locusts the same thing?
No, cicadas and locusts are not the same. Cicadas belong to the order Hemiptera and are known for their periodic emergence and loud mating calls. Locusts, on the other hand, are a type of grasshopper from the order Orthoptera that can form large swarms and are known for causing significant agricultural damage.
Where do cicadas come from?
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on sap from tree roots. Depending on the species, they emerge as adults after several years, which can be anywhere from 2 to 17 years. Periodic cicadas are known for their synchronized emergence in massive numbers.
Are cicadas bad?
Cicadas are generally not harmful to humans or pets. While they can be a nuisance due to their loud noise and large numbers during emergence periods, they do not bite or sting. They play a role in the ecosystem by aerating the soil and serving as a food source for other animals.
Will cicadas be bad this year?
Whether cicadas will be prominent in a given year depends on the specific brood’s emergence cycle. Some years see a significant emergence of certain broods, leading to higher visibility and noise levels. Check local forecasts or entomological reports to determine if a major emergence is expected in your area this year.
Can cicadas destroy crops?
Cicadas are not typically destructive to crops. However, during a large emergence, they can cause some damage to young trees and shrubs by laying their eggs in the branches, which can lead to twig splitting. Mature trees generally handle cicada infestations without significant long-term harm.
Which trees do cicadas like?
For laying their eggs, cicadas are especially attracted to deciduous trees such as oaks, maples, and fruit trees. They prefer trees with softer bark where females can easily insert their eggs. Cicada nymphs also feed on the sap from the roots of various trees while they are underground.
The Takeaway
Cicadas are a temporary presence, and with some effort, we can minimize the damage they cause while appreciating the wonder of nature in our own backyards. With the above tips, you can protect your gardens and plants from Cicadas. Good Luck!
Other Guides from Planet Natural:
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like? (Complete Beginner’s Guide)
Flea Eggs: What Do They Look Like and How to Get Rid of Them
Copyright © 2004-2023