Prepare for the Invasion of Cicadas Sweeping Across United States this Summer
Get ready, folks! Cicada season's here again, and it's all set to be a bang! Although last year was a bit insane, the vibe this year is more chill. Brood XIV, the buzzy insects boasting black bodies and red eyes will soon surface, making their grand debut after being hidden for a whopping 17 years.
Don't be flashbacked by last year's cicada outbreak, which earned the name "cicada-geddon". Not two, but two periodical cicada broods surfaced in the same year, causing a ruckus. But don't worry, this year it's just one crowd - the Great Eastern Brood, or Brood XIV, taking your yards by storm.
So, who's the expert behind this interesting scoop? Meet Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist with Mosquito Squad Plus, a popular pest control company across the nation.
But, what are periodical cicadas, you ask? Unlike their yearly counterparts, these bugs make a grand entrance every 13 or 17 years. They're pretty big, about an inch long and insect enthusiasts love 'em. They typically emerge in late April or early May and bid adieu by late May or early June. Calm your nerves; annual cicadas usually drift about from June to August.
Brood XIV will soon be on the move across the eastern U.S., with Kentucky and Tennessee being their main stomping grounds. Experts have also hinted that this brood will pop up in smaller numbers along the East Coast, stretching from Massachusetts and New York, right down to western Georgia.
Now, let's talk about how to protect your yard and home:
- Protecting your precious plants: If you want to keep your green friends intact, consider throwing a net or breathable fabric cover over 'em. This will make it tricky for cicadas to lay eggs in or feed on your plants. Believe it or not, this method is widely adopted by orchards to protect their baby trees.
- Wrapping tree trunks: Cicadas first appear as nymphs, who burrow up nearby trees, posts, or structures to molt. To nip the problem in the bud, lay some sticky traps around trees to catch those cicadas right before they become fully-grown.
- Moving indoor: If you're worried about small trees or herbs, consider moving your potted plants inside for a short period during May. Once cicada season's over, you can bring 'em back to your garden.
- Sealing windows and doors: Thanks to their large size, cicadas usually can't get inside your home through small cracks or crevices, but it's important to pay heed to larger holes or gaps. If you want to enjoy the breeze during cicada season, consider installing a mesh screen to keep them at bay.
Lastly, resist the temptation to bomb your yard with pesticides. The improper usage or over-application of chemicals can damage your garden. It's best to leave those fuzzy buddies alone, as they'll die out soon anyway! Enjoy the show, folks!
- Martha Stewart shared some tips on Home Garden News for protecting yards and gardens during the upcoming cicada season.
- According to Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist with Mosquito Squad Plus, periodical cicadas like those in Brood XIV are large insects that emerge every 13 or 17 years and typically appear from late April to early May.
- To shield plants from cicadas, homeowners can consider using nets or breathable fabric covers to prevent them from laying eggs or feeding on the plants.
- To prevent cicada nymphs from burrowing into trees and causing damage, sticky traps can be laid around trees to catch the nymphs before they become adult cicadas.
- For homeowners worried about small trees or herbs, moving potted plants indoors for a short period during May can help protect them from cicada damage.
- Lifestyle and environmental-science experts advise against using pesticides to kill cicadas, as improper usage or over-application can harm gardens and the environment.
