Cicadas are fascinating insects that emerge in large numbers every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species. While they are harmless to humans, they can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs in your garden.
Our post on Are Cicadas Bad for Garden Explained covers everything you need to know about cicada behavior, their impact on plants, and the best ways to manage a cicada invasion in your garden.
If you’re interested in learning more about insects that can harm your garden, check out our article on Are Crickets Bad for Garden? Let’s Find Out.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Cicadas can cause damage to trees and shrubs when they lay their eggs in the branches. |
| Covering plants with netting or other barriers can help protect them from cicadas. |
| Cicadas emerge from the ground every 13 to 17 years to mate and lay eggs. |
| Cicadas do not pose a direct health risk to humans, but their loud mating calls can be disruptive. |
| Adult cicadas typically live for 4 to 6 weeks before dying off. |
Take control of your garden’s pest population and learn how to manage cicada invasions with our helpful guide.
Are Cicadas Bad For Garden?
If you have a garden, you may have heard of cicadas and wondered if they are bad for your plants. The answer is no. Cicadas do not harm plants in any way and they actually help pollinate them as well (they are the same as bees).
Cicada is harmless to humans, pets, and children, so there is no need to worry about that either! Some people might be allergic to their bites but most folks will feel nothing more than a tickle when bitten by one of these insects.
They also don’t carry any diseases or parasites that could spread from person-to-person or pet-to-person contact; however like other bugs they may bite if provoked or threatened so be careful where you place yourself while gardening near these critters!
If all this talk hasn’t convinced you yet then I think we should move on to another topic…
Do Cicadas Harm Humans?
Cicadas are harmless to people and pets. They are not dangerous to humans, children, or plants. The only time they might bite is if you touch them while they’re molting out of their exoskeleton shell (which can be a little weird). If a cicada lands on you, but doesn’t move around much, it’s likely dead—some species of cicada can live up to two months in the soil before emerging as adults!
If you see one that looks like it’s dying and has moved onto its back or side with its wings still attached don’t worry! This is normal behavior for many species of cicada during this stage of development: being upside-down may help them shed their skin more easily when they go into metamorphosis mode later in life (more on this later).
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What Attracts Cicadas To Your House?
Cicadas are attracted to light, so if you have lights on at night, they may be drawn. There’s also the color yellow. Cicadas love the color yellow and will fly towards it.
They tend to gather near sources of moisture such as puddles or damp soil so if you have plants that attract lots of water (like cacti), be wary of where you place them. Cicadas also like heat and humidity, so if your home is close to trees or buildings that trap heat well, this could draw them in as well.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Cicadas?
Cicada swarms can be a nuisance and even a threat to pets and small children. A large number of cicadas present at one time can easily overwhelm small animals, causing them to become disoriented or confused. If you have a dog or cat that is not used to being around cicadas, it may be necessary for you to keep your pet indoors until the swarm has passed.
Cicada swarms are also a threat to plants and trees due to their massive numbers as well as their feeding habits. Damage caused by these insects ranges from simple feeding damage or leaf removal, which can lead to weakened plants, to defoliation (where all leaves on a plant have been removed), through complete dieback of branches or tree trunks if severe enough over long periods of time.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Cicada Bugs?
You can get rid of cicadas by:
- Calling a professional pest control company.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to remove cicadas from your home and yard.
- Putting the cicadas in a plastic bag and throwing them away—the same way you would for any other insect.
- Use a broom or leaf blower to sweep out the cicadas from your house, porch, patio, and yard (they’re too large to fit through most cracks).
Where Do Cicadas Go After They Die?
Cicadas are a type of insect that lives in the ground, and they emerge from their holes every year to lay eggs and mate. The males die after they have mated, but the females continue living for several weeks.
Cicada populations are affected by predators like birds and spiders, as well as by stressors such as lack of food or water or insufficient shelter. However, mortality rates also vary depending on what stage of life a cicada is in when it dies. For example:
Young nymphs that haven’t yet molted (shed their exoskeleton) will die if they don’t find something soft like grass or leaves to latch onto during their molts; otherwise, they will fall into hard surfaces below them (like your driveway) where their exoskeletons may crack from impact.
Once these young nymphs molt into adults (which takes about 2-3 weeks), they are less likely to die during molting because adults can hold onto things with claws on their front legs while molting without falling off into places where predators could easily catch them!
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The Answer To The Question ‘are Cicadas Bad For Garden?’ Is Yes And No
Cicadas can be bad for your garden, but it’s not as simple as “yes” or “no.” The situation is more complicated than that, and there are a few things you should consider when asking yourself whether or not cicadas are harmful to plants in your yard or garden.
Cicadas will eat leaves: Cicadas are large insects that consume large amounts of food each day. Their appetite can leave a significant mark on your plants if they’re allowed to feed on them unchecked.
They damage trees and shrubs: Cicadas have very sharp mouthparts that they use to pierce plant stems, which damages the plant and renders it less effective at taking in nutrients from soil water. Repeated feeding over time weakens these stems even more, which leads us to our next point.
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Conclusion
Cicadas are a fascinating part of nature and provide us with lots of benefits. However, they can be annoying if you have too many in your garden or house. If you’re wondering whether cicadas are bad for the garden, then the answer is both yes and no. It all depends on how many cicada bugs you want around your home!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on cicadas and their impact on gardens:
Will the Cicadas Hurt Your Plants? – This article from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden explores the potential effects of cicadas on plants and offers tips for protecting your garden.
Cicada Bugs in the Garden: Tips for Cicada Control in Gardens – This article from Gardening Know How provides information on identifying and controlling cicadas in your garden.
Do Cicadas Eat Vegetables? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Insects and Your Garden – This article from Green Matters discusses the impact of cicadas on vegetable gardens and offers tips for protecting your crops.
FAQs
What are cicadas and why do they emerge?
Cicadas are large, flying insects that spend most of their lives underground. They emerge from the ground in large numbers every 13 to 17 years to mate and lay eggs.
Do cicadas harm plants?
While cicadas don’t typically feed on plants, they can cause damage to trees and shrubs when they lay their eggs in the branches.
“If you’re struggling to keep your indoor plants healthy, it’s important to act fast to avoid further damage. Our guide on how to save indoor plants offers pro tips and advice to help you nurse your plants back to health.”
How can I protect my garden from cicadas?
To protect your garden from cicadas, you can cover plants with netting or other barriers to prevent the insects from laying their eggs in the branches.
Do cicadas pose any health risks to humans?
Cicadas do not pose a direct health risk to humans, but their loud mating calls can be annoying and disruptive.
How long do cicadas live?
Adult cicadas typically live for 4 to 6 weeks, during which time they mate and lay eggs before dying off.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.