Tips for Keeping Cicada’s Out
This year, we have the pleasure of welcoming the largest generation of periodical cicadas, Brood X, who have recently begun emerging after spending 17 years underground. This blog gives you tips for keeping cicada’s out! While cicadas are technically harmless to humans, they are noisy, clumsy, and just yucky! Here are five tips for how you can keep cicadas out of your stuff.
Prune trees and shrubs
Cicadas perform their mating rituals in trees, so pruning and trimming your trees could help deter them from hanging out or laying eggs near your home. This will also keep other pests at bay and keep your plants nice and healthy.
Install pool and hot tub covers to keep cicada’s out
While cicadas won’t intentionally venture into bodies of water, they are clumsy. Some are likely to land and subsequently die in your pool or hot tub (if left uncovered).
Protect delicate plants and saplings
Female cicadas lay eggs by creating small slits in tree branches. While adult trees can tolerate this process, some younger or more delicate ones may not. Covering small trees, gardens, and other tender plants with a garden net will help protect them. These nets should be tightly secured at the trunk and snug around the branches (but not so tight that it pulls them down).
Patch up any holes around the house.
While cicadas are not usually drawn indoors, some might accidentally sneak in through holes in screen doors or windows. Patching up these small holes will help to keep any curious cicadas out of your home. If one finds its way inside, don’t fret; cicadas can’t mate indoors, so it is very little or no chance of any kind of infestation inside.
Cover patio furniture
Warning: this one is incredibly gross! In addition to moving any outdoor furniture away from the treeline, cover the furniture with an umbrella, a canopy, or a waterproof cover. This helps prevent any cicada excrement known as “cicada rain” (because it is often mistaken for raindrops) from making its way on these surfaces. Ew!!