A cicada infestation doesn’t happen every year, and although they’re not considered common household pests like wasps or flies, their sudden appearance brings a wave of noise, activity, and questions for homeowners.
With the periodic cicada season happening, this article breaks down everything you need to know about these fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) insects — from their life cycle to how to get rid of cicadas and what to know about prevention and control.
What Are Cicadas?
Cicadas are large, winged insects belonging to the superfamily Cicadoidea within the order Hemiptera, commonly known as “true bugs,” a group that also includes aphids and bed bugs. They are known for their loud mating calls, created by vibrating specialized membranes, called tymbals, on their abdomens.
Cicadas also don’t bite, sting, or spread diseases. However, when they emerge in large broods, the sheer volume of cicadas can be overwhelming since their synchronized emergence can blanket entire regions.
Despite their nuisance factor, cicadas are fascinating creatures that can be eaten and considered a delicacy in some cultures. However, if you have a shellfish allergy, avoid eating them, as cicadas are related to shrimp and lobsters and may trigger allergic reactions. Always ensure they are properly cooked and sourced from areas without harmful chemicals if you decide to try them.
What Do Cicadas Look Like?
While different species vary in size and color, most share several common traits that set them apart from other insects. Here are some characteristics to help you identify cicadas in your yard:
- Size: Cicadas vary in size, typically ranging from 0.8 to 2 inches in length.
- Body: Their bodies are stout and can vary in color depending on the species.
- Eyes: They possess large, prominent compound eyes set wide apart on the sides of their heads. Also, they have three simple eyes (ocelli) arranged in a triangle between the compound eyes.
- Antennae: Cicadas have short antennae protruding from the front of their heads.
- Wings: They feature two pairs of transparent membranous wings, with the forewings being larger than the hindwings. The wings often have distinct venation patterns.
- Ovipositor: Female cicadas have a specialized, needle-like ovipositor at the end of their abdomen, which they use to cut into tree branches and deposit their eggs.
Life Cycle of Cicadas
Understanding their life cycle helps explain why they suddenly appear in such huge numbers and what triggers their emergence. Female cicadas select host trees for oviposition based on sunlight, preferring those exposed to ample sunlight during their emergence. The health and abundance of these trees also play a key role in determining where cicadas will appear.
Here’s how the life cycle of cicadas unfolds:
- Egg stage: After mating, female cicadas cut v-shaped slits into tree twigs, particularly those with soft, young wood, and lay hundreds of eggs. Each female can lay up to 500 eggs over several weeks.
- Nymph stage: Once the eggs hatch (about 6 to 10 weeks later), tiny nymphs fall to the ground and burrow into the soil. Here, they stay for years, feeding on sap from tree roots.
- Emergence: Cicadas emerge when the soil at a depth of about 8 inches reaches a temperature of approximately 64°F (18°C). This signals to them that it’s time to emerge, typically in late spring or early summer, depending on their geographic location. They will then climb nearby trees to molt and eventually become winged adults.
- Adult stage: Adult cicadas live only 4 to 6 weeks above ground. During this time, they mate, lay eggs, and then die, leaving the next generation to begin the life cycle of cicadas.
What Are the Two Main Types of Cicadas?
There are over 3,000 species worldwide, but the most common in the U.S. are periodical cicadas and annual cicadas. Here is some more information on these pests:
Periodical Cicadas
Periodical cicadas are renowned for their synchronized mass emergence every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species. They belong to the genus Magicicada and are predominantly found in eastern North America. Periodical cicadas are typically black with red eyes and orange wing veins.
The most well-known periodical cicadas are part of specific broods, including Brood X, the “Great Eastern Brood,” which is the largest 17-year brood and covers 15 states. It last emerged in 2021. Another major brood is Brood XIX, known as the “Great Southern Brood,” a 13-year brood that emerged across the southeastern U.S. in 2024 and is the largest in terms of geographic extent.
Adding to the list is Brood XIV, which is the second-largest 17-year brood. Set to emerge in 2025 for the first time since 2008, Brood XIV will make its return to the eastern U.S. just before the official start of summer on June 21. However, the timing of their arrival across various parts of the U.S. may vary.
Annual Cicadas
Unlike periodical cicadas, annual cicadas do not have a synchronized emergence. While their name suggests they emerge every year, their actual life cycle spans 2 to 5 years, with different broods emerging each year, typically in late summer or early fall.
Their life cycle is staggered, meaning their emergence is on a smaller scale, with some cicadas remaining underground while others emerge, continuing the life cycle of cicadas. These cicadas are also more widespread across North America and include species from genera such as Neotibicen, Diceroprocta, and Okanagana.
Annual cicadas are typically larger than periodical cicadas and have a more varied color range, including green, brown, or even black bodies. Their eyes are often darker, and their wing veins are less pronounced than those of periodical cicadas.
6 Signs of a Cicada Infestation
If you’re wondering whether cicadas are lurking beneath your soil or have already started to emerge, there are a few key signs to look out for during any cicada season:
1. Emergence Holes and Mud Chimneys
As cicada nymphs prepare to emerge, they create small, round holes in the ground, typically about the size of a dime. In moist or muddy soils, these holes may be accompanied by mud chimneys, which are small, dome-shaped structures built above the exit holes. These signs are often found near the base of trees or shrubs.
2. Shed Exoskeletons (Exuviae)
After emerging from the soil, cicada nymphs climb nearby vegetation and molt, leaving behind their exoskeletons. These light brown, shell-like casings can often be found clinging to tree trunks, branches, fences, or other vertical surfaces.
3. Animal Digging
Wildlife such as moles, raccoons, or birds can detect cicadas underground and may dig holes to reach them. The presence of freshly dug holes or disturbed soil near trees may indicate that animals are foraging for cicada nymphs.
4. Nymph Sightings
Occasionally, cicada nymphs can be found under stones, logs, or garden debris as they navigate toward the surface. Lifting such objects may reveal these nymphs, especially as the emergence time approaches.
5. Audible Mating Calls
This mating call can be heard during the day and is often described as a high-pitched whine, which can reach up to 100 decibels, similar to the sound of a lawn mower. This is a very obvious sign that cicadas are nearby.
6. Damage to Young Trees and Shrubs
Female cicadas lay their eggs by slicing into small twigs and branches. This can cause a condition known as “flagging,” where the affected branches wilt, turn brown, and may eventually die, signaling a cicada infestation.
8 Cicada Prevention Tips
While you can’t stop a regional emergence, you can take steps to minimize its impact on your home and yard. Here are some proactive steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of cicada infestation in your own yard:
1. Keep Trees Healthy
Healthy trees are less likely to suffer significant damage from cicadas. Regularly maintain your trees by watering them properly, pruning dead branches, and ensuring they have sufficient nutrients.
2. Protect Saplings
Use fine netting or garden mesh to cover newly planted or smaller trees, preventing cicadas from laying their eggs on the branches. You will want to install netting before cicadas emerge, as it may be difficult to apply it after the infestation has already begun.
3. Delay New Plantings
If you know a periodical cicada brood is expected in your region, avoid planting young trees with trunks smaller than 2 inches in diameter during cicada emergence years. If possible, delay planting until after the cicadas have completed their life cycle for best results.
4. Limit Attractants
Cicadas are attracted to certain trees, especially deciduous species like maple, oak, and fruit trees. Consider planting fewer of these types and opt for trees that are less appealing to cicadas, such as pine and evergreen trees.
5. Seal Entry Points
Cicadas usually don’t enter homes, but gaps in doors, screens, or vents can provide access on occasion. Seal cracks, use screens, and keep doors closed, especially at night. If one gets inside, simply release it outdoors–it won’t reproduce or damage your home.
6. Use Cicada Repellents
There are natural repellents available as products that may help deter cicadas. Products containing garlic, peppermint oil, or citronella are known to repel cicadas. Spray these repellents on your trees and shrubs before cicadas begin their emergence.
7. Use Light Control
Reduce outdoor lighting at night, which can attract adult cicadas. This helps keep them away from decks, patios, and entryways and can keep them from entering your home.
8. Stay Vigilant During Cicada Cycles
Remain aware of when and where cicadas are likely to emerge. By monitoring your local cicada cycle, you can take preventive measures to protect your trees before an infestation occurs.
How to Get Rid of Cicadas in 5 Ways
If you find yourself in the middle of a cicada infestation, here are several methods on how to get rid of them:
- Remove cicadas manually: In small numbers, cicadas can be manually removed from surfaces and discarded. Its recommended to wear gloves and use a small broom, leaf blower, or vacuum to collect them. Be prepared to see more the next day, as this isn’t a one-and-done solution.
- Use a garden hose: A strong spray from a garden hose can knock cicadas off walls and trees. It won’t kill them, but it can temporarily clear an area, especially around patios or walkways.
- Make use of noise disruption devices: Since cicadas rely on their mating call, some homeowners use competing noise, such as radios or fans, to deter them from settling in a particular area.
- Do not use insecticides: Most experts advise against chemical treatments, as cicadas are not long-term pests, and their life cycle does not make them especially vulnerable to insecticides.
- Clean up dead cicadas promptly: After their short adult life, cicadas die off in large numbers. You can rake and compost cicada bodies to enrich your soil, bag and dispose of them with yard waste, or leave a few out as a nutritious treat for local wildlife, such as birds and squirrels.
When to Call the Pros for a Cicada Infestation
Most homeowners can handle a cicada infestation on their own, but if you’re dealing with a large-scale issue, significant tree damage, or ineffective cicada prevention efforts, it may be time to call a professional pest control service. They can provide advanced solutions, manage an extensive cicada infestation, and offer specialized treatment to protect your property from further damage.
Get Ahead of the Cicada Infestation Swarm with At Home Pros!
Dealing with a cicada infestation can be unnerving, especially if it’s your first time experiencing one. But with a clear understanding of the life cycle of cicadas and some thoughtful steps in prevention and control, you can protect your yard and home.
If you need expert help with a cicada infestation or are looking for cicada prevention tips, At Home Pros connects you with top pest control providers like Terminix and Aptive Environmental. Contact us for a quote and take the first step today!
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