Cicadas are unique insects recognized for their striking appearance and distinctive, loud calls during their periodic emergence. These creatures spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, only to surface for a brief adult stage focused on reproduction. During their emergence, questions often arise about their impact on humans, pets, and the environment. This article addresses common concerns about any danger cicadas might pose.
Direct Effects on Humans and Pets
Cicadas pose no direct threat to humans; they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. While their sheer numbers and loud buzzing can be startling, they are harmless to touch and will not intentionally attack people.
Cicadas are generally not toxic to pets. Dogs and cats might consume them, especially given their abundance, but eating a few is unlikely to cause harm.
However, consuming a large quantity of cicadas can lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, such as vomiting or diarrhea, primarily due to the difficulty in digesting their hard exoskeletons. Pet owners should monitor their animals, and moderation in consumption is advisable.
Impact on Plants and Property
Adult female cicadas can affect young trees and shrubs when they lay their eggs. They create small, V-shaped slits in branches, typically those between 1/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter, using an ovipositor. This action can cause the leaves on affected branch tips to turn brown and wilt, a phenomenon known as “flagging.”
Mature, healthy trees are generally not harmed by cicada egg-laying, as they recover easily. However, newly planted trees, those under two inches in trunk diameter, or trees that are already stressed, are more susceptible to significant damage and potential growth setback. Cicadas do not feed on leaves, flowers, or fruits, nor do they cause damage to structures like houses, cars, or other property.
Coexisting with Cicadas
Protecting vulnerable young trees from cicada damage is possible through simple, non-chemical methods. Covering young trees and shrubs with fine mesh netting (with openings ΒΌ inch or smaller) can prevent female cicadas from laying eggs on their branches. This netting should be secured around the trunk to prevent cicadas from accessing the foliage.
The loud buzzing sound produced by male cicadas, a mating call, is temporary and typically lasts only a few weeks during their emergence period. Their presence is a natural, albeit noisy, ecological event. After their life cycle concludes, the decomposing bodies of cicadas can enrich the soil, contributing nutrients to the environment.