Cicadas - Coming to your neighborhood?

Laceys Spring, AL(Zone 7a)

Have the cicadas invaded your area yet? I had forgotten it was time for their 13-year cycle again. Yesterday we were outside with a workman and we had been hearing this noise...thought it was a distant neighbor's alarm system or something. DH said he'd go check and we all went back to work. Our nearest neighbor is about a quarter mile away. I went to work in the backyard, saw a cicada and it dawned on me what the noise was coming from. Another neighbor came over and said their barn was covered in them. Ewwwww!! Another neighbor said they were all over her house (outside fortunately). And of course we began to notice the holes in the ground. From what I've read, there really isn't anything you can do about them except keep an eye on young trees. Anyone else have anything to say about these annoying pests and what, if anything to do? I'm really only worried about a couple of young JMs and some newly planted shrubs.

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Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a)

We've seen a couple but they aren't too big yet. Worse than the bugs...trying to keep little boys from bringing them INSIDE! LOL

Laceys Spring, AL(Zone 7a)

Well, ours are still here but either I'm getting used to them or they are beginning to go away. About a week and a half ago they must have been at their peak of annoyance. They were all over the place at work and were riding along inside with folks. Scared a few folks for sure. My dog started eating them but I found out more about them and found the American Indians used to eat them (for the protein) and they are harmless to dogs. The local horticultur expert told me the squirrels can do about as much damage to a tree by building a nest in a tree. Ours are the 13-year periodical variety. Yours may be another periodical. Anyway, just something we have to live with.

Abilene, TX(Zone 7b)

My dad hated the noise they made, so he would go out and shoot them out of the trees with a bb gun. My dog thought they were delicious.

Laceys Spring, AL(Zone 7a)

That's funny ramp! Both about your Dad and your dog! Your Dad must be a good shot to hit them with a bb gun. Ours are gone now. We went on vacation for 10 days and came home to peaceful silence last weekend. Ahhhhh.....

Abilene, TX(Zone 7b)

I was always amazed that he could see them, I couldn't! He was a WW II vet,so he was used to hitting what he aimed at. I think it was also pretty good stress relief.

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