Cicadas are the noisy neighbors of the insect world. They show up uninvited, shout from the trees, leave crispy little shells everywhere, and make your dog think the backyard has turned into an all-you-can-eat snack bar. The good news? Cicadas are not the same as roaches, termites, mosquitoes, or bed bugs. They do not invade your pantry, chew your furniture, bite your ankles, or plan a hostile takeover of your mattress.
Still, when thousands of cicadas arrive at once, especially during a periodical cicada emergence, your yard can feel less like a peaceful outdoor space and more like a buzzing summer concert with terrible parking. Homeowners often search for how to get rid of cicadas because they want to protect young trees, reduce the mess, keep patios usable, and stop the noise from turning every cup of coffee into an endurance sport.
The honest answer is this: you usually do not “get rid” of cicadas in the traditional pest-control sense. Instead, the smartest strategy is to repel, exclude, protect, clean up, and wait them out. Adult cicadas live above ground for only a few weeks. Your mission is not to win a war. Your mission is to avoid unnecessary damage while the cicada circus passes through town.
What Are Cicadas, and Why Are They Suddenly Everywhere?
Cicadas are sap-feeding insects best known for their loud calls. Annual cicadas appear every summer in smaller numbers, while periodical cicadas emerge in huge groups after spending 13 or 17 years underground. When soil temperatures warm enough in spring, the nymphs crawl up from the ground, shed their outer skins, become winged adults, mate, lay eggs, and die. Dramatic? Yes. Efficient? Also yes.
The giant “infestation” many people notice is usually a mass emergence, not a permanent invasion. Cicadas are not breeding inside your house. They are not nesting in your attic. They are not secretly organizing under your deck with tiny clipboards. They are simply completing a natural life cycle, often synchronized across entire neighborhoods.
Are Cicadas Dangerous?
For people and pets, cicadas are mostly harmless. They do not sting, they do not bite in the way mosquitoes or fleas do, and they are not poisonous. A curious dog or cat may eat a few cicadas, and that is usually not a major concern. Eating too many, however, can cause temporary stomach upset. In other words, one cicada is a crunchy curiosity; fifty cicadas are a veterinary “please stop doing that” moment.
The main concern is plant damage. Cicadas do not destroy lawns like grubs, and they do not strip crops like locusts. The biggest problem occurs when female cicadas lay eggs in small branches. They cut slits into tender twigs, which may cause the branch tips to brown, wilt, split, or break. This damage is often called “flagging.” Mature trees usually recover, but young trees, newly planted fruit trees, and small ornamental trees can be stressed or seriously damaged.
How to Get Rid of Cicadas the Smart Way
Before grabbing a spray bottle and charging into the yard like an action hero in gardening gloves, pause. Most experts do not recommend broad insecticide spraying for cicadas around homes. During a heavy emergence, more cicadas can quickly move in after spraying. Pesticides may also harm birds, pollinators, beneficial insects, pets, and other wildlife that feed on cicadas. The better plan is prevention and physical protection.
1. Protect Young Trees with Fine Mesh Netting
If you do only one thing to prevent cicada damage, do this. Fine mesh netting is the most practical, homeowner-friendly cicada control method for small trees. Use insect netting, tulle, cheesecloth, or another breathable fabric with openings small enough to keep cicadas out. Avoid standard bird netting, because the holes are often too large and cicadas may crawl right through like they paid admission.
Drape the netting over the entire canopy and secure it around the trunk below the lowest branches. This is important because cicadas often crawl upward from the ground. If the bottom is open, you have not built a barrier; you have built a cicada-themed tent.
Netting is especially useful for:
- Newly planted trees
- Young fruit trees such as apple, peach, cherry, and pear
- Small ornamental trees
- High-value landscape trees under about 10 feet tall
- Trees with many pencil-sized twigs
Install netting shortly before or as adult cicadas begin appearing and singing. Keep it in place through the egg-laying period, then remove it after cicada activity ends. Do not leave netting on indefinitely, because it can interfere with growth, airflow, and maintenance.
2. Delay Planting New Trees During Major Cicada Years
If your area is expecting a major periodical cicada emergence, avoid planting small trees immediately before or during the event. Young trees have a high proportion of small branches, which are exactly the size female cicadas prefer for egg laying. Waiting until after adult cicada activity ends can save you from watching your brand-new tree get treated like a cicada maternity ward.
If planting cannot wait, choose larger, healthier nursery stock when appropriate, water it well, and protect it with netting. A stressed tree is more vulnerable to many problems, cicadas included. Healthy trees are better able to recover from minor twig injury.
3. Cover Vulnerable Shrubs and Small Fruit Plants
Cicadas prefer woody stems, so some shrubs and young fruit plants may also need protection. Blueberries, young grapevines, small dogwoods, and other woody ornamentals can be covered if they are in a heavy emergence zone. Use breathable mesh and secure it carefully, but avoid crushing tender growth.
If a plant is blooming and needs pollination, consider timing carefully. Covering flowering plants may block bees and other pollinators. In many cases, protecting young woody structure matters more than fruit production for one season, but the right choice depends on the plant and your goals.
How to Repel Cicadas from Your Yard
True cicada repellents are limited. There is no magic scent, ultrasonic device, homemade potion, or dramatic backyard chant that reliably sends cicadas packing. Many DIY repellent claims sound satisfying but do not hold up well when millions of insects are emerging at once.
That said, you can make your outdoor space less chaotic and reduce the places where cicadas bother you most.
Reduce Outdoor Clutter
Cicadas may land on patio furniture, grills, planters, umbrellas, and anything else that sits still long enough. Store cushions, cover grills, close umbrellas, and move unnecessary items into a garage or shed during peak activity. This does not repel cicadas from the neighborhood, but it makes cleanup easier and keeps your patio from looking like a bug airport.
Use Physical Barriers Around Priority Areas
Screened porches, mesh patio curtains, garage door screens, and well-fitted window screens can help keep cicadas out of living areas. Cicadas are clumsy flyers and sometimes end up where they do not belong. A screen door that closes properly is a small upgrade with big “please stay outside” energy.
Turn Off Unnecessary Outdoor Lights at Night
Cicadas are most active during the day, but reducing unnecessary outdoor lighting can still help limit general insect activity around entryways. It also reduces the chance of attracting other bugs that make your porch feel like a nature documentary after sunset.
Use a Garden Hose for Temporary Relief
If cicadas are clustered on a fence, wall, or small tree, a firm spray of water can knock them off temporarily. This is not a permanent solution, but it can help clear a doorway, patio chair, or walkway before guests arrive. Just do not blast delicate plants or newly planted trees with enough pressure to damage them.
Should You Spray for Cicadas?
For most homeowners, spraying is not recommended. Cicadas emerge in such large numbers that insecticides often provide poor long-term control. Even if some are killed, more can fly or crawl in from nearby trees. Spraying can also create unnecessary exposure for people, pets, pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.
There are exceptions in commercial orchards and nurseries, where professionals may use targeted products according to label directions to protect valuable young trees. That is a different situation from a homeowner spraying the whole backyard because the maple tree sounds like an electric toothbrush convention.
If you feel pesticide use is necessary, contact your local Cooperative Extension office or a licensed pest-control professional. Always follow the product label exactly. Never spray blooming plants where pollinators are active, never apply more than directed, and never assume “natural” automatically means safe.
How to Prevent Cicada Damage to Trees
Prevention starts before the insects appear. If you know a periodical cicada brood is expected in your county, prepare early. Buy netting before stores sell out, inspect young trees, and make a simple protection plan.
Focus on Small Branches
Female cicadas usually lay eggs in small twigs and branches. Damage often appears as slits, roughened bark, drooping tips, browning leaves, or broken branch ends. Mature trees may look messy for a while but typically recover. Young trees can lose a larger percentage of their canopy, which is why protection matters most for them.
Water Trees Properly
A healthy tree handles stress better. During dry weather, water young trees deeply and slowly. Do not sprinkle the surface for two minutes and call it a spa day. Water should soak into the root zone. Mulch can help conserve moisture, but keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot and pest issues.
Do Not Over-Prune Before an Emergence
Avoid heavy pruning right before a major cicada emergence unless it is necessary for safety or tree health. Cicadas may damage additional twigs, and you can prune dead or broken tips later. After the activity ends and damaged tips are clearly visible, prune back to healthy wood using clean, sharp tools.
Inspect Trees After Cicadas Leave
Once the noise fades and the adults die off, inspect vulnerable trees. Look for flagging, split twigs, and hanging branch tips. Prune damaged twigs you can safely reach. Do not climb tall trees or use risky ladder setups for minor twig damage. If a large limb is cracked or a valuable tree looks seriously affected, call a certified arborist.
How to Clean Up Cicadas
Cicada cleanup is not glamorous, but it is simple. Sweep patios, decks, sidewalks, and driveways regularly. Rake dead cicadas from lawns if they pile up heavily. Small numbers can decompose and return nutrients to the soil, but large piles may smell unpleasant. A snow shovel, broom, rake, or dustpan can become your unlikely hero.
Empty skimmer baskets if cicadas fall into pools. Cover pools and hot tubs when not in use. Check outdoor drains, gutters, and window wells so dead insects do not create clogs. If you compost, dead cicadas can be composted in moderate amounts, preferably mixed with dry leaves or other carbon-rich material to reduce odor.
How Long Do Cicadas Last?
Most adult cicada activity lasts around four to six weeks. The exact timing depends on weather, location, and species. The loudest period usually happens after males begin calling in large numbers. Once mating and egg laying are finished, the adults die and the event ends almost as suddenly as it began.
That short timeline is one reason patience is a legitimate cicada management strategy. By the time you research ten sprays, buy three gadgets, and emotionally negotiate with your backyard, the cicadas may already be halfway through their visit.
Common Cicada Myths
Myth: Cicadas Are Locusts
Cicadas are often called locusts, but they are not true locusts. Locusts are a type of grasshopper that can consume crops. Cicadas feed on tree fluids and do not chew leaves like grasshoppers.
Myth: Cicadas Will Kill All My Trees
Most mature trees survive cicada activity with little long-term harm. Young trees are the ones that need attention. If your oak tree has been standing since disco was cool the first time, it will probably be fine.
Myth: Noise Means Damage
The sound is produced by male cicadas calling for mates. It may be loud enough to interrupt a phone call, but the noise itself does not harm plants. The plant damage comes from egg laying in small branches.
Myth: Homemade Sprays Solve Cicada Problems
Garlic spray, vinegar, essential oils, and soap mixtures are often promoted online, but they are unreliable for mass cicada emergences and may damage plants. Physical exclusion is more dependable than backyard chemistry experiments.
When to Call a Professional
Most cicada situations do not require professional pest control. However, you may want help if you have many young fruit trees, valuable ornamental trees, mobility limitations, or trees too large to net safely from the ground. An arborist can help assess damage, prune properly, and recommend tree care after the emergence.
Call a professional immediately if you notice cracked major limbs, storm-damaged branches, or trees leaning dangerously. Cicadas may weaken small twigs, but large structural hazards should always be handled with proper equipment and expertise.
Best Cicada Prevention Checklist
- Check whether a periodical cicada brood is expected in your area.
- Delay planting small trees until after the emergence if possible.
- Buy fine mesh netting before peak season.
- Cover young trees and secure netting around the trunk.
- Avoid unnecessary insecticide spraying.
- Water young trees deeply during dry periods.
- Clean patios, pools, and walkways regularly.
- Prune damaged twigs after cicada activity ends.
Real-Life Experience: What Cicada Season Actually Feels Like
The first thing people usually notice during a heavy cicada emergence is not the insects themselves. It is the sound. You step outside expecting birdsong and get a wall of buzzing so loud it feels like the trees have learned how to operate power tools. At first, it is fascinating. Then it is funny. Then, around day ten, you start bargaining with nature.
In a typical neighborhood, the experience varies from yard to yard. One homeowner may see only a few shells on a fence post, while another two streets over has cicadas covering tree trunks like living bark. Older neighborhoods with mature trees often see more activity because periodical cicada nymphs spend years feeding underground on tree roots. New developments or areas where soil was heavily disturbed may have fewer cicadas.
The most useful lesson from cicada season is that preparation beats panic. Homeowners who protect young trees early usually feel much calmer. A small apple tree wrapped neatly in fine mesh may look like it is dressed for a very strange wedding, but it is far better than discovering split twigs after egg laying begins. The trick is to secure the bottom well. Cicadas are not graceful, but they are persistent. If there is a gap, they will find it with the determination of toddlers locating an open cookie jar.
Cleanup is another reality check. Dead cicadas can collect on sidewalks, patios, steps, and under trees. If left in piles, they may smell. Sweeping every couple of days is easier than waiting until the yard looks like a crunchy carpet. Pool owners learn quickly to check skimmer baskets. Dog owners learn even faster that some pets consider cicadas a seasonal delicacy. A few snacks may not matter, but a dog eating them by the dozen needs supervision, because the shells and volume can upset the stomach.
Noise management is mostly about acceptance. Closing windows helps. Planning outdoor dinners away from the loudest trees helps. Wearing headphones while gardening may help. Complaining dramatically also helps emotionally, though not scientifically. The important thing is remembering that the adult stage is temporary. Cicadas may be loud, messy, and wildly inconvenient, but they are not a permanent household pest.
After the emergence ends, the yard often returns to normal faster than expected. The shells weather away, the sound disappears, birds look extremely well-fed, and trees begin growing past minor twig damage. The experience leaves many homeowners with the same conclusion: cicadas are annoying, but they are also remarkable. They spend more than a decade underground, rise together, sing like tiny malfunctioning alarms, and vanish in weeks. Your best response is not fear. It is a roll of netting, a broom, a little patience, and maybe a sense of humor strong enough to survive the buzzing.
Conclusion
Getting rid of cicadas is less about extermination and more about smart prevention. For most homeowners, the best cicada control methods are simple: protect young trees with fine mesh netting, delay planting during major emergence years, keep trees healthy, clean up regularly, and avoid unnecessary pesticide use. Cicadas may be loud and messy, but they are temporary visitors, not year-round invaders.
If your main goal is to prevent cicada infestations from damaging your landscape, focus your energy where it matters most: newly planted trees, small fruit trees, and valuable ornamentals. Mature trees can usually handle the drama. With the right plan, your yard can survive cicada season without turning into a full-blown insect opera.
Note: This article is based on real cicada management guidance from U.S. public-agency, university extension, arboriculture, and pest-management resources. For commercial orchards, nurseries, or severe tree-health concerns, consult a local Cooperative Extension office, certified arborist, or licensed pest professional.
