Cicada Invasion To Hit Eastern US
Much of the eastern United States, including areas as far south as Georgia, are about to be overcome with millions of scary looking insects called cicadas. Swarms will be anywhere and everywhere. When they hatch, the ground will look like it is boiling. It’s a phenomenon that cannot be witnessed anywhere else in the world. Here’s what you need to know about these swarming bugs:
Swarms Of Cicadas To Hit Eastern U.S.
Welcome back cicadas! For the first time since 1996, after spending 17 years hiding underground, massive swarms of cicadas are set to descend on the eastern United States.
From New York down to Georgia, these noisy and menacing looking insects are expected to be everywhere and on everything. You will see clouds of them buzzing through the air. Clusters can range from tens of thousands to 1.5 million per acre. These cicadas, referred to as Brood II cicadas by scientists, will be stuck on the sides of your home and car. They climb buildings and trees. These cicadas are 17 years in the making.
Back in 1996, when Bill Clinton was the President of the United States and gas was a mere $1.21 a gallon, swarms of cicadas laid eggs in the soil. A single cicada female can lay as many as 600 eggs. These cicada eggs lay dormant under the soil for 17 years as the larvae grow. When soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees on the East Coast, which is expected any day now, the cicadas will hatch. When they do hatch from the ground, they’ll climb up your trees, shed their skins, and then transform into loud, obnoxious adults. They’ll lay their eggs in the ground and repeat the life cycle.
Within about six weeks, all of these swarming cicadas that crawled out of the earth will be dead … Hundreds of millions, if not billions, of them. You’ll see piles of them; so much that you may need a snow shovel to clean them all up off your property.
What Do Cicadas Look Like?
Brood II cicadas are about 1.5 inches long, or about the size of a quarter. They are an ominous black color with fiery red eyes that are set on the side of the head.
If you cannot see the swarms of cicadas, chances are you will definitely hear them. Their annoying buzzing sound can reach 90 decibels… That’s about as loud as a lawnmower. This buzzing sound has even caused permanent hearing loss for some.
Are These Cicadas Dangerous?
There’s no doubt that these cicadas are frightening to look at, but there in no reason to be afraid of these bugs. They do not bite. They do not sting. Despite their terrifying appearance, the cicadas are relatively harmless… Just loud, annoying and bothersome.
How Long Will The Cicadas Be Around?
In late May or June, when the soil temperatures reach a moderate 64 degrees, the cicada nymphs will begin crawling out of the ground. Witnesses describe the scene as something straight out of a horror flick. The ground will look like it’s boiling. Fortunately, the entire cicada cycle will only last about 6 weeks, wrapping up by the Fourth of July. After that, we won’t see the cicadas again until 2030.
What Can I Do About The Cicada Invasion?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much homeowners can do to prevent these swarms of cicadas from infesting their homes. It’s going to happen. You may need a snow shovel of sorts to clear away the piles of cicadas from your home. Make sure all doors and windows are tightly secured throughout the end of May until the end of June.
All entry points to your home need to be sealed up, or you risk these cicadas entering your home. Just remember, this cicada invasion will only last six weeks at the most, and will not be seen again until 2030.
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