Billions of Cicadas to Emerge This Spring
Remember the great cicada hatching a few years ago? Things are about to get worse. A lot worse. Billions of cicadas are set to emerge this spring. They will take over…
Remember the great cicada hatching a few years ago? Things are about to get worse. A lot worse. Billions of cicadas are set to emerge this spring. They will take over our trees, our fences, our swing sets, and our yards. Not to mention that noise! What makes this year different from 2021? Well, there is not just one brood of cicadas hatching, there are two. One brood of cicadas expected to surface has been buried for 13 years, the other have been under ground for 17 years. And they are just dying to get out and make some noise.
Remember when the cicada swarm was captured on the weather radar?
According to NPR, there were so many cicada carcasses in Chicago in 2021 people were removing them by the shovel-full. And that was just one brood! The last time these two broods arose, Thomas Jefferson was president. Think about that.
When will it happen?
The noisy little buggers start their ascent to once the temperatures hover around 64-degrees, so think spring-time. NBC News reports most will die off by June, but you might need earplugs into September.
The insects are known to emit a high-pitched buzz, or mating song, that can reach up to 100 decibels — roughly equivalent to a motorcycle or jackhammer.
Can cicadas hurt you or your children?
Cicadas are not dangerous to people. Their "mating song" is loud, but they will not harm you. As a matter of fact, I have heard of people who, as kids, used to play with the shells they emerge from. I heard stories of people who used to put them in their hair and wear them on their fingers like rings. That is brave.
Can cicadas hurt my pets?
Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, says you should not be surprised if your dog tries to eat these buggers. (EW!) And do not worry because they will be fine.
