Are you hearing that unmistakable, high-pitched drone? If so, chances are the cicadas have arrived. These noisy insects emerge in massive numbers, disrupting outdoor activities, damaging young trees, and generally making their presence known. While their visit is temporary, lasting several weeks, the potential for damage and the sheer annoyance factor can be significant for homeowners and gardeners alike.
Understanding how to manage cicadas is crucial for protecting your property and sanity during their emergence. Though completely eliminating them isn't feasible or even desirable (they play a role in the ecosystem), implementing effective strategies can minimize their impact on your plants and make your outdoor spaces more enjoyable during their brief but boisterous stay. From protective netting to natural repellents, several options exist to help you cope with this natural phenomenon.
What are my options for managing cicadas?
Will netting my trees actually get rid of cicadas?
Yes, netting your trees can be an effective method to prevent cicada damage, but it won't eliminate the cicadas themselves. Netting acts as a physical barrier, preventing female cicadas from laying their eggs in the branches of your trees, which is what causes the most significant harm. It's a preventative measure, not an eradication strategy.
Netting is most effective when applied properly *before* the emergence of cicadas. The mesh size of the netting is crucial; it needs to be small enough to prevent cicadas from squeezing through (typically ¼ inch or smaller). The entire tree canopy needs to be covered, and the netting must be secured tightly to the trunk to prevent cicadas from finding their way inside. Damaged netting, even with small tears, will compromise the protection it offers. While netting prevents egg-laying in the covered trees, it doesn't impact the overall cicada population in your area. Cicadas will still be present, buzzing around, and potentially causing damage to any unprotected plants or trees. For widespread cicada infestations, netting might be a more practical solution for protecting valuable, younger trees rather than attempting to net an entire landscape. Other strategies, such as waiting it out and tolerating some damage, or using insecticides in limited circumstances, may also be considered depending on the level of infestation and personal preferences.What natural predators can help control cicada populations?
Several natural predators play a significant role in regulating cicada populations, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and even some insects and spiders. By preying on cicadas at various stages of their life cycle—from nymphs emerging from the ground to adults during their mating period—these creatures help to keep cicada numbers in check and prevent potential damage to vegetation.
Birds are perhaps the most visible cicada predators. Robins, blue jays, crows, mockingbirds, and starlings, among many other species, readily consume adult cicadas. Reptiles such as snakes and lizards also opportunistically feed on cicadas, particularly nymphs as they emerge or freshly molted adults that are still vulnerable. Similarly, amphibians like frogs and toads will readily consume cicadas if they can catch them. Mammals, including opossums, raccoons, squirrels, and even domestic cats and dogs, have been known to eat cicadas as well. Beyond the larger predators, some insects and spiders also contribute to cicada control. Predatory wasps, like the cicada killer wasp, are specialized hunters that paralyze cicadas and use them as food for their larvae. Ground beetles and praying mantises will also prey on cicada nymphs and emerging adults. Spiders, particularly larger web-building species, can trap adult cicadas in their webs. While these predators might not eradicate cicadas entirely, their combined efforts can significantly limit population booms and mitigate the impact of cicada emergences on local ecosystems.Are there any effective chemical treatments to kill cicadas?
While chemical insecticides can kill cicadas, they are generally not recommended or considered an effective long-term solution for managing cicada populations. The broad-spectrum nature of these chemicals poses risks to beneficial insects, wildlife, and the environment. Furthermore, the sheer number of cicadas that emerge during periodical outbreaks often makes chemical control impractical and ultimately ineffective.
The primary reason chemical control is discouraged is due to the cicadas' short adult lifespan and their widespread presence. By the time you notice significant damage and consider spraying, the majority of the cicadas have already mated and laid their eggs, rendering the insecticide largely useless. Moreover, spraying large trees effectively requires specialized equipment and expertise, and drift can easily affect non-target areas. Widespread use of insecticides can disrupt the local ecosystem by eliminating natural predators and pollinators, potentially creating bigger problems in the long run. Instead of relying on chemicals, focusing on preventative measures like using netting to protect young trees and shrubs before the cicadas emerge is a more targeted and environmentally responsible approach. Natural predators, like birds and praying mantises, will also help keep cicada populations in check. In most cases, the best approach is to simply wait out the relatively short period of cicada activity and allow them to complete their natural life cycle.How do I prevent cicadas from laying eggs in my young trees?
The most effective way to prevent cicadas from laying eggs in young trees is to physically exclude them using netting or mesh. Cover the entire tree canopy with fine mesh netting before the cicadas emerge and secure it tightly around the trunk to prevent them from gaining access. This barrier will prevent the females from reaching the branches and depositing their eggs.
While eliminating cicadas entirely from your property is practically impossible and ecologically undesirable, focusing on protecting vulnerable young trees during emergence years is the most practical approach. Insecticides are generally not recommended for widespread cicada control due to their potential harm to beneficial insects and the environment. Targeting individual cicadas with insecticides is also ineffective and unsustainable. Instead of focusing on elimination, prioritize protecting young trees, which are most susceptible to damage from cicada ovipositing. Cicadas prefer branches with a diameter of approximately pencil-sized to lay their eggs. Older, more established trees can usually withstand the damage. You can also prune damaged branches after the cicada season is over, which will encourage new growth and improve the tree's overall health. Finally, consider planting trees that are less attractive to cicadas. While no tree is entirely cicada-proof, some species are less frequently targeted. Consulting with your local agricultural extension office or a certified arborist can provide specific recommendations for cicada-resistant tree varieties in your region.Is it worth trying to eliminate cicadas, or should I just wait it out?
Generally, it's best to simply wait out a cicada emergence. Attempting to eliminate them is often ineffective, can harm beneficial insects and the environment, and ultimately won't prevent the emergence from running its natural course. Cicadas are only active for a few weeks, and the short-term nuisance they cause is usually outweighed by the potential damage of control methods.
While the sheer number of cicadas can be overwhelming, consider the fleeting nature of their visit. Adult cicadas only live for a few weeks, during which time they mate and lay eggs. After that, they die off naturally. The impact of using insecticides to control them is far-reaching. Broad-spectrum insecticides kill not only cicadas but also beneficial insects like pollinators and natural predators that help control other pests. Furthermore, the use of pesticides can contaminate soil and water, posing risks to wildlife and potentially human health. Direct control efforts are often futile due to the scale of the emergence. Cicadas emerge from the ground in massive numbers over a wide area, making it impossible to treat every single insect. While you might be able to protect a few vulnerable young trees by covering them with netting, widespread spraying is not a sustainable or effective solution. The short-term inconvenience of a cicada emergence is less damaging in the long run than the potential harm caused by attempting to eradicate them. In most cases, letting nature take its course is the most responsible and effective approach.Does killing cicadas actually impact the environment negatively?
Yes, widespread killing of cicadas can have negative impacts on the environment, though the extent of the impact depends on the scale of the killing and the specific ecosystem. Cicadas play several important ecological roles, and their removal can disrupt these processes.
Cicadas, particularly the periodical varieties, provide a massive pulse of nutrients into the ecosystem when they emerge and subsequently die. Their decaying bodies fertilize the soil, benefiting plants and other organisms. They also serve as a crucial food source for a wide variety of animals, including birds, reptiles, mammals, and even other insects. Reducing cicada populations through widespread killing can deprive these animals of a significant food source, potentially impacting their populations and the overall food web. Additionally, the holes cicadas create when emerging from the ground aerate the soil, improving drainage and root growth. Targeting cicadas with broad-spectrum insecticides can be particularly harmful, as these chemicals can kill beneficial insects and pollinators along with the cicadas, further disrupting the ecosystem. While individual efforts to control cicadas around specific plants may have minimal impact, large-scale attempts to eradicate them could have more serious and far-reaching consequences for the local environment, affecting nutrient cycles, food webs, and soil health.What's the best way to get rid of cicada nymphs in the ground?
Eradicating cicada nymphs from the ground is extremely difficult and generally not recommended. They live underground for years, are numerous, and systemic insecticides pose significant environmental risks with limited effectiveness. Focusing on protecting vulnerable plants during emergence years is a more practical and environmentally sound approach.
While completely eliminating cicada nymphs is unrealistic, there are tactics that *might* reduce local populations, though their effectiveness is debated. Introducing beneficial nematodes to the soil *could* parasitize some nymphs. These microscopic worms seek out and infect soil-dwelling insects. Soil cultivation, while potentially disruptive to plant roots, *might* also expose nymphs to predators like birds. However, large-scale soil disturbance can have detrimental impacts on the soil ecosystem. Ultimately, the long lifespan and vast numbers of cicada nymphs make control attempts largely futile. The focus should instead be on protecting young trees and shrubs from egg-laying damage during the adult cicada emergence. This can be achieved by netting vulnerable plants with fine mesh during the emergence period. Allowing the natural cycle to run its course is often the most sustainable and environmentally responsible option.Well, that's about it! Hopefully, these tips will help you reclaim your yard from the cicada symphony (or at least turn down the volume a bit!). Thanks for reading, and good luck tackling those buzzing bugs! Be sure to check back for more helpful home and garden advice soon!