The Cicadas Are Coming: Here's How to Protect Your Home and Garden

As the seasons change, residents in the Midwest and Northeast are bracing for an unusual, noisy arrival: the emergence of Brood X cicadas.

This swarm, numbering in the billions, will soon be filling the air with their distinctive song, marking a rare event that only happens every 17 years.

Here’s what to expect and how to protect your home and garden as these fascinating insects make their appearance.

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The Return of Brood X Cicadas

Brood X, also known as the “Great Eastern Brood,” is one of the few groups of periodical cicadas with an unusually long 17-year life cycle, unique to the eastern United States.

While annual cicadas emerge each summer, Brood X is different. This large group has spent nearly two decades underground and is now set to emerge across states from Illinois to Georgia, creating a natural spectacle.

What Have They Been Doing Underground?

For the past 17 years, Brood X cicadas have been burrowed beneath the earth, quietly feeding on nutrients from tree roots and growing in size. These cicadas began life as eggs laid by their mothers on tree branches, each mother depositing about 500 eggs. Six weeks after hatching, the young cicadas dropped to the ground, where they burrowed deep and spent years feeding and digging, preparing for this one-time emergence.

What Happens When Brood X Emerges?

When soil temperatures reach around 64°F, the nymphs begin their ascent, climbing trees or other surfaces to molt and become adults. This metamorphosis occurs within a single night as the cicadas shed their nymphal exoskeletons and emerge in their adult form, complete with wings. After this transformation, they return to the treetops to mature for a few days before the males begin their famously loud mating calls.

The Purpose of their Song

Once the males are fully developed, they start singing to attract mates. This song can reach a loud 96 decibels—about the same as a motorcycle. While the sound can be overwhelming in areas with high cicada populations, it’s a critical part of their reproductive cycle, ensuring that Brood X continues for another generation.

Are They Dangerous to People?

Despite their impressive numbers and loud chorus, cicadas pose no harm to humans. They don’t bite or sting and are generally not interested in interacting with people. For anyone worried about children or pets, rest assured that while they may look intimidating, these insects are entirely harmless.

How Cicadas Impact Plants and Trees

Cicadas don’t pose a threat to your garden’s vegetables, flowers, or annuals, as they don’t eat these plants. However, young trees (typically under five feet tall) may be at risk because female cicadas cut small slits in young branches to lay their eggs. This activity can stress young trees, so if you’ve recently planted any saplings, consider protecting them with mesh garden bags. These covers allow sunlight and rain to reach the tree but prevent cicadas from laying eggs on delicate branches.

Managing Young Trees During Brood X Season

If you’re planning to plant new trees, it’s best to wait until after cicada season, around late June. However, if you already have young trees in the ground, securing them with fine mesh bags can keep the cicadas at bay. Attach the bag over the tree, ensuring it’s securely tied at the base to block access to the branches. This simple measure can go a long way in protecting new growth.

Can Cicadas Affect Your Yard?

While Brood X’s arrival can be a challenge for young trees, it’s not all bad news for your yard. As cicadas die off, they’ll leave behind organic matter that will decompose and enrich the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer for trees and other plants. You may notice a temporary odor as the cicadas start to decompose, but this process ultimately benefits the ecosystem, providing nutrients that encourage plant growth.

The Ecological Benefits of Brood X

The appearance of Brood X cicadas isn’t just an unusual event; it also serves an essential role in the local ecosystem. The holes they dig act as natural aerators for the soil, improving its quality for future plant growth.

Additionally, cicadas provide a rich food source for various animals, from birds and small mammals to larger predators like owls and hawks. This abundance of food helps support the local wildlife, enhancing the balance of the ecosystem.

In the end, while Brood X may seem like an overwhelming invasion, these cicadas bring more than noise and numbers. They help rejuvenate the soil, support wildlife, and play a unique part in the natural world that we’ll only see again in another 17 years. So, if you’re prepared with a little extra protection for your young trees, you can enjoy the spectacle and let nature run its course.