Cicadas Are Coming For Your Yard – How To Protect Your Trees
You have likely heard the growing buzz in the news and across social media about the massive insect emergence. It is true that cicadas are coming for your yard, and for many homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts, this feels like an impending invasion. While the sound can be deafening, there is no need to panic if you prepare your property correctly.
I promise that by the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to shield your vulnerable saplings and manage the cleanup. We will look at the specific behaviors of these periodical insects and how to coexist with them during their brief but intense visit. You will learn to protect your hard-earned landscaping while enjoying this rare natural phenomenon.
We are going to cover everything from the best protective netting to the impact on your local ecosystem. Whether you are a weekend camper or a dedicated homesteader, these steps will ensure your outdoor space remains a sanctuary. Let’s dive into the practical reality of what happens when the ground begins to stir.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Periodical Cicada Phenomenon
To handle the situation effectively, you must understand what is actually happening beneath your feet. Unlike the annual cicadas we see every summer, periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground as nymphs. They emerge all at once in a massive survival strategy known as predator satiation.
When the soil temperature reaches about 64 degrees Fahrenheit, billions of these insects crawl toward the surface. They are looking for vertical surfaces to shed their exoskeletons and begin their adult lives. This is a spectacle of nature that occurs nowhere else on Earth with such intensity.
For the traveler or camper, this means certain regions will be much louder and “buggier” than others. If you are planning a trip to a heavily wooded area during an emergence year, expect a high-volume experience. Understanding their lifecycle is the first step in realizing that they are not pests, but temporary visitors.
Cicadas are coming for your yard
When we say cicadas are coming for your yard, we are specifically talking about their search for egg-laying sites. Adult females use a saw-like organ called an ovipositor to slit small grooves into the ends of tree branches. They then deposit their eggs inside these slits to keep them safe from predators.
This process, while natural, can cause a phenomenon known as flagging. This is when the tips of branches turn brown and die off because the structural integrity of the wood was compromised. For large, established oaks or maples, this is basically a natural pruning process that does little long-term harm.
However, if you have recently planted fruit trees or ornamental saplings, the story is different. Small trees with branches less than half an inch in diameter are at the highest risk. If too many females choose your young cherry tree, the damage can be significant enough to stunt the tree’s growth or kill it entirely.
Which Plants Are Most at Risk?
Cicadas are not particularly picky, but they do have preferences for certain hardwoods and fruit-bearing species. They generally avoid evergreens because the sticky sap interferes with their egg-laying process. If your yard is full of pines and firs, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
Focus your protection efforts on deciduous trees like oaks, maples, hickories, and beeches. Fruit trees such as apple, pear, and peach are also high-priority targets. These trees provide the perfect “pencil-sized” branches that female cicadas find irresistible for their nests.
Timing Your Gardening Projects
If you were planning to put new trees in the ground this spring, you might want to wait. Since cicadas are coming for your yard in predictable cycles, it is wise to delay planting until the fall. This allows the insects to finish their cycle and disappear before your new investments are exposed.
If the trees are already in the ground, do not worry. We have highly effective physical barriers that can keep them safe. The goal is to prevent the insects from reaching the branches without using harmful chemicals that could damage your local pollinators.
Physical Barriers: The Gold Standard of Protection
The most effective way to protect your property is through the use of cicada netting. This is a fine mesh fabric, usually made of polyethylene, that prevents the insects from landing on the branches. You want a mesh size that is 1/4 inch or smaller to ensure they cannot squeeze through.
Start by wrapping the entire canopy of your small trees in the netting. It is not enough to just drape it over the top; you must secure it around the trunk. Use cable ties or twine to cinch the bottom of the net tightly against the main stem of the tree.
This prevents the cicadas from crawling up the trunk from the ground. Remember, these insects are clumsy fliers but excellent crawlers. If there is a gap at the bottom of your netting, they will find it and make their way into the branches you are trying to save.
How to Apply Netting Properly
- Measure the height and width of your tree canopy before buying material.
- Drape the fine mesh over the tree, ensuring all branch tips are covered.
- Gather the excess material at the base of the foliage.
- Secure the mesh to the trunk using weather-resistant ties.
- Check the netting every few days to ensure no birds or beneficial insects are trapped.
You should apply this netting once you see the first few cicadas emerging from the ground. Leave it in place for about six to eight weeks. Once the “singing” stops and you see dead cicadas on the ground, it is safe to remove the barriers and let your trees breathe again.
Avoid Pesticides and Chemicals
Many homeowners think they need to spray their entire yard with heavy-duty insecticides. This is generally a bad idea for several reasons. First, cicadas emerge in such massive numbers that spraying is often ineffective; more will simply fly in from your neighbor’s yard.
Second, these chemicals can harm beneficial insects like honeybees and butterflies. Since cicadas do not bite, sting, or carry diseases, they are not a threat to your health. Physical barriers are much safer for your family, your pets, and the broader environment.
Managing the Noise and the Mess
If cicadas are coming for your yard, you need to prepare for the volume. A chorus of male cicadas can reach 100 decibels, which is equivalent to a lawnmower running next to your ear. This can be overwhelming for those who enjoy a quiet morning coffee on the porch.
If you are a remote worker or someone sensitive to sound, consider investing in noise-canceling headphones. For outdoor enthusiasts planning a backyard camping trip, earplugs are an essential piece of gear. The noise is usually loudest during the warmest parts of the day when the insects are most active.
Beyond the noise, there is the matter of the “crunch.” After the emergence, your walkways, decks, and patios will be covered in discarded shells and eventually, dead insects. This is a temporary inconvenience that can be managed with a few simple tools.
Cleanup Strategies for Homeowners
A stiff-bristled broom or a leaf blower is your best friend during the peak of the emergence. Sweep the shells and carcasses into your garden beds rather than the trash. Cicada bodies are incredibly rich in nitrogen and serve as an excellent, free fertilizer for your soil.
If you have a pool, you will need to check your skimmer baskets daily. Cicadas are poor navigators and often end up in the water. Keeping your pool cover on when not in use can save you a lot of manual labor and prevent your filtration system from clogging.
Impact on Outdoor Equipment
For RV owners and van-lifers, cicadas can pose a unique challenge. Their shells can get stuck in AC intake vents or radiator grilles. If you are parked in an area with a heavy emergence, do a daily walk-around of your vehicle to clear away any debris.
Campers should be careful with tent zippers. Cicadas are attracted to vertical structures and may climb your tent walls. Always keep your mesh screens zipped tight to prevent any uninvited guests from joining you inside your sleeping bag.
The Ecological Upside of the Invasion
It is easy to focus on the negatives, but there are massive benefits when cicadas are coming for your yard. This event is a literal feast for local wildlife. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, and even fish will gorge themselves on this protein-rich food source.
You might notice a “baby boom” in your local bird population following a cicada year. The abundance of food allows more fledglings to survive and thrive. This is a natural cycle that helps balance the local food web and strengthens the ecosystem.
Additionally, the holes left behind when the nymphs emerge act as a natural aeration system for your lawn. These tunnels allow water and oxygen to reach the roots of your grass more effectively. Instead of paying for a core aeration service, let the cicadas do the work for you.
A Lesson in Survival and Resilience
From a survivalist perspective, cicadas are a fascinating study in “safety in numbers.” They don’t have stingers or camouflage; they simply overwhelm their predators with sheer volume. This is a great teaching moment for children or those interested in natural history.
Observe how they interact with the environment. You will see that despite the chaos, they are harmless. They are a reminder that nature operates on long-term schedules that we are lucky to witness once or twice in a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cicada Emergencies
Will cicadas kill my mature trees?
In almost all cases, no. Large, healthy trees can easily withstand the egg-laying process. You might see some browned tips on the branches, but the tree will recover quickly. Only very young or stressed trees require active protection with netting.
Do cicadas bite or sting humans or pets?
Cicadas do not have mouthparts designed for biting, nor do they have stingers. They are completely harmless to humans. While your dog or cat might try to eat them, they are not toxic. However, eating too many of the crunchy shells can cause digestive upset in pets, so keep an eye on them.
How long will the cicadas stay in my yard?
The entire above-ground lifecycle lasts about four to six weeks. Once the mating process is complete and the eggs are laid, the adults die off. The noise will subside, and the nymphs will eventually hatch and burrow back into the ground for another 13 or 17 years.
Can I use a pressure washer to remove them?
While you can use a pressure washer to clean shells off your driveway or deck, do not use it on the insects themselves or on your trees. High-pressure water can damage the bark of young trees and is an unnecessarily aggressive way to manage the insects.
Final Thoughts for the Prepared Explorer
Now that you know cicadas are coming for your yard, you can approach the season with confidence rather than dread. By focusing your energy on protecting young trees and managing the temporary mess, you can turn a potential headache into a fascinating outdoor experience. Remember that this is a brief window of time in a much larger natural cycle.
Keep your cicada netting ready, stay on top of your pool maintenance, and perhaps invest in some quality earplugs if you value your silence. Most importantly, take a moment to step outside and witness this incredible event. It is one of the world’s great biological wonders, happening right in your own backyard.
Stay prepared, stay observant, and enjoy the wild side of homeownership. Stay safe and stay comfortable!
- What To Wear For Winter Camping – Your Essential Layering Guide - September 28, 2026
- What Boots To Wear Winter Camping – For Maximum Warmth And Safety - September 28, 2026
- Winter Camping For Beginners – Master Cold-Weather Comfort & Safety - September 28, 2026