The Cicadas Are Coming—Here’s How This Year’s Broods Will Impact Your Garden

After last year’s “cicada-geddon,” where two periodical cicada broods emerged at the same time to wreak noisy havoc on East Coast-homeowners’ yards, things are quieting down this year—a bit. A single periodical brood is set to take over this summer: the Great Eastern Brood, which hasn’t made an appearance in 17 years.

So what can you expect from this year’s periodical and annual cicadas? We spoke with a professional entomologist to find out where and when these insects will show up. Plus you’ll find must-know tips on protecting your home and garden from potential damage.

What Are Periodical Cicadas, and When Do They Show Up?

Periodical broods emerge either every 13 or every 17 years, and you’re likely to begin spotting them in May if you haven’t already, according to Crumbley. But their resurgence is short-lived—these periodical broods tend to die off by the end of May or beginning of June.

Where You’ll See This Year’s Cicada Brood

There’s no telling exactly where this year’s cicada brood will show up, but based on past data, Crumbley says they’re expected to grace the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. If you live in an area that sees them every summer, you’ve also got the annual cicadas, which usually emerge by late spring and die off by August.

So, who’s at risk for having a cicada-filled yard this season? If you live near a wooded area, you may already have noticed that telltale buzzing.

“These insects are generalist feeders, preferring woody plants to soft plants,” Crumbley says. “If you have trees near your home, you stand the chance of getting cicadas.”

How to Protect Your Yard from Cicadas

Cicadas lay their eggs underneath the bark of trees, which can cause damage. They’ll also suck sap and fluids out of the tree bark and roots. To prevent them from impacting your yard, address the problem where it begins: your tree trunks.

“Wrap tree trunks with adhesive. Cicadas will emerge from the soil as nymphs and climb nearby trees, posts, or other vertical structures to anchor themselves as they molt,” Crumbley says. “To proactively get a hold of a cicada problem, you can try adding glue traps around trees to catch cicadas before they can molt.”

You should take measures to protect your other plants, too: While they prefer wood, cicadas may also decide to lay eggs in your garden, which can cause harm. Put nets or coverings around sensitive plants.

“Adding a physical barrier around your plants, like a fine mesh net or breathable fabric, can make it harder for cicadas to feed on or lay their eggs in plants,” Crumbley says. She also points out that this method is especially useful for young trees, saplings, or other easily-damaged plants.

Besides covering them up, consider moving them inside for the duration of cicada season to keep them out of reach from pests.

What to Know About Cicadas in Your Home and Yard

Though cicadas can be annoying, they aren’t dangerous: They won’t bite you or your pets, so it’s perfectly safe for you to continue your outdoor activities as usual throughout the season. Cicadas also don’t carry disease—they may be loud, but they’re harmless (as long as you’re not an oak tree).

Fortunately, if you find a cicada inside your home, chances are it only managed to make it in via an open door or window. “Cicadas are large, chunky insects,” Crumbley says. “Unlike ants, flies, or roaches, cicadas cannot use small cracks and crevices to get in your home. If a cicada is found inside, it likely wandered in through an open door or window.”

This means that the best way to protect your home from cicadas is to simply keep all doors and windows without screens closed. Also, check the seals on any openings to ensure there are no large gaps a cicada could potentially crawl through.

If your yard does end up with a lot of cicada carcasses, you have an abundance of compost at your hands—put them to use as garden fertilizer. At the very least, you can rest easy this summer knowing that the next time you’ll have to deal with cicada-geddon isn’t until 2037.