Sasha CampbellHave cicadas appeared in your yard again? Their loud calls can be hard to ignore. However, cicadas do not normally bite or sting people.
Most cicadas also cause little harm to healthy, mature trees. The main problem happens when female cicadas cut small slits in young branches to lay their eggs. This can weaken or kill the ends of those branches.
You cannot stop a large cicada emergence. However, you can protect young trees and reduce problems around your home without using pesticides. If you want to get rid of cicadas naturally, focus on protecting young plants that are easy to damage and managing the insects until the emergence ends.
Annual Cicadas vs. Periodical Cicadas
There are two main groups of cicadas in the eastern United States.
Annual cicadas appear every summer. They are sometimes called dog-day cicadas. Although each cicada may spend several years underground, their life cycles overlap. This means that some emerge every year.
Periodical cicadas appear in very large groups every 13 or 17 years. These groups are called broods. They are the cicadas most likely to cover trees, fill yards, and create very loud noise [1].
Most of the tree-protection methods in this article are for periodical cicadas.
Are Cicadas Harmful?
Cicadas do not normally bite or sting. They are not poisonous, and they are not known to spread diseases to people.
Cicadas are not poisonous to pets either. However, do not allow dogs or cats to eat large numbers of them.
Adult cicadas drink small amounts of fluid from woody plants. This feeding does not usually cause serious damage.
Most cicada damage happens during egg-laying. Female cicadas use a pointed body part to cut rows of small slits in thin branches. They then place their eggs inside these slits.
The eggs hatch several weeks later. The young cicadas, called nymphs, fall to the ground and burrow into the soil. They live underground and drink fluid from tree roots.
Trees That Cicadas Affect
Female cicadas can lay eggs in more than 200 kinds of woody plants. Some commonly affected plants include:
- Oaks
- Maples
- Cherries
- Apples
- Peaches
- Pears
- Hickories
- Hawthorns
- Redbuds
- Grapevines
Cicadas usually choose thin branches that are about the width of a pencil. Oaks, maples, cherries, and fruit trees are among the plants that often show damage [1].
Damaged branch tips may turn brown, droop, or break. This condition is called flagging.
Healthy, mature trees usually recover from this damage. Young or newly planted trees are at greater risk because they have fewer branches to lose.
Vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other plants with soft stems are not normally harmed. Cicadas may rest or climb on these plants, but they do not usually lay eggs in them.
How to Manage Cicadas Naturally
These natural methods can protect young trees, remove small numbers of cicadas, support damaged plants, and reduce problems around your yard. There is usually no need to protect large, healthy trees.
1. Cover Young Trees and Shrubs
Fine insect netting is the best way to protect small trees during a large periodical cicada emergence.
Choose netting with openings about ¼ to ⅜ inch wide. Regular bird netting may have holes that are too large to keep cicadas out.
Drape the netting over the entire tree. Gather and secure it around the trunk below the lowest branches. Do not leave gaps where cicadas can crawl inside.
Netting will not repel cicadas from the whole yard. However, it creates a barrier that stops female cicadas from reaching the branches and laying eggs.
Check the netting often for holes, tears, loose edges, or trapped animals. Make sure the branches are not becoming twisted inside the cover.
Remove the netting when adult cicada activity ends. Leaving it on too long may block new growth, reduce airflow, shade the leaves, or prevent bees from reaching flowers.
Only cover trees that are small enough to protect safely. Large, healthy trees usually do not need netting.
2. Delay Planting New Trees
If a large periodical cicada emergence is expected in your area, wait until the adults are gone before planting new trees or woody shrubs.
Newly planted trees are especially easy to damage. Their main branches are often the right size for female cicadas to use as egg-laying sites.
If you have already planted a young tree, cover it with fine insect netting. Put the covering in place when cicadas begin to appear and before females start laying eggs.
Waiting to plant is one of the easiest ways to prevent serious cicada damage. Purdue University also recommends delaying new tree planting until an emergence has ended [2].
3. Remove Small Numbers by Hand
If only a few cicadas are resting on a young tree, you can remove them by hand.
Wear gloves if you do not want to touch them. Gently pick them up or brush them into a container. Cicadas may make a loud buzzing sound when handled, but they do not normally bite or sting.
Carry the container away from the young tree and release the cicadas. Then cover the tree with fine netting. Without netting, the same cicadas or others may return.
Hand removal is only useful when cicada numbers are low. It will not control a large emergence because more adults may quickly fly into the tree.
Some people eat cicadas. However, cicadas should be properly cooked and never eaten raw. Do not collect them from lawns or gardens treated with pesticides. People with shellfish allergies may also have an allergic reaction to cicadas [3].
4. Spray Small Trees With Water
A gentle stream of water may temporarily knock a few cicadas from a small tree or shrub.
Use enough water to move the insects, but not so much pressure that you damage leaves, flowers, or young branches.
Once the cicadas fall, you can collect them by hand. Birds and other animals may also eat some of them.
This method only provides short-term relief. Adult cicadas can fly or climb back into the tree. Use fine netting afterward if the tree needs lasting protection.
5. Prune Damaged Branches at the Right Time
Do not remove healthy branches before cicadas arrive simply to reduce egg-laying sites. This can weaken the tree and will not stop females from using the branches that remain.
Instead, inspect your trees after egg-laying has ended. Look for branches that are:
- Brown or dying
- Split or broken
- Hanging down
- Badly covered with egg-laying slits
Use clean, sharp pruning tools to remove badly damaged branches. Cut back to a healthy branch or bud.
Mature trees usually recover without having every damaged tip removed. Focus on broken branches, badly damaged young trees, and branches that may fall.
In orchards, removing egg-filled branches before the eggs hatch may stop some nymphs from reaching the soil. Purdue University recommends pruning damaged or egg-filled branches after the egg-laying period [2].
Dispose of the cut, egg-filled branches before the eggs hatch. Do not leave them beneath the tree or place them in an open compost pile. Otherwise, the nymphs may still fall from the branches and enter the soil.
Avoid removing too much growth at once. If a large tree has broken or dangerous branches, ask a trained tree professional for help.
6. Help Damaged Trees Recover
Healthy trees have a better chance of recovering from cicada damage.
Water young or damaged trees during dry weather. Water deeply so the moisture reaches the roots. Avoid giving the tree only a small amount of water every day.
Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the tree to help the soil hold moisture. Wood chips, shredded bark, or dry leaves can work well.
Keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk. Piling mulch against the trunk may hold too much moisture and lead to decay.
Do not fertilize a tree simply because cicadas damaged it. Extra fertilizer will not repair broken branches and may force the tree to produce weak new growth.
Watering during dry weather and adding a proper layer of mulch are two of the best ways to help a cicada-damaged tree recover [4].
7. Protect Pools, Ponds, and Hot Tubs
Cicadas may fall into pools, ponds, hot tubs, and other water features. Once their wings become wet, they may have trouble getting out.
During a large emergence, dead cicadas can clog pool filters and skimmers. Check and clean this equipment often.
Cover hot tubs when they are not being used. You can also place fine screening over small ornamental ponds.
Secure the screening tightly and check it often so birds and other animals do not become trapped.
Large numbers of dead cicadas can decay in pond water and lower the amount of oxygen available to fish and other water animals [1].
Do not leave birdbaths covered for the entire season. Instead, check them each day. Remove dead cicadas and replace dirty water with fresh water.
8. Attract Birds to Your Yard
Birds can help reduce garden pests, including cicadas.
Robins, cardinals, blue jays, phoebes, and other birds may feed on cicadas when they are available.
Make your yard more welcoming to birds by providing:
- Clean water
- Trees and shrubs
- Safe nesting places
- Plants that produce seeds or berries
- Areas where birds can hide from predators
Birds and other animals may eat many cicadas. However, they cannot stop a large periodical emergence. Cicadas appear in such great numbers that predators cannot eat them all.
Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides, which are pesticides that kill many kinds of insects. These products may kill helpful insects and expose birds to harmful chemicals.
9. Leave Cicada Killer Wasps Alone
Cicada killer wasps are natural predators of cicadas. These large wasps may look frightening, but they are usually not aggressive toward people.
Female cicada killers catch and paralyze cicadas. They carry them to underground nests, where the cicadas become food for their young.
Male cicada killers may fly around people who walk near their nesting area, but males cannot sting. Females can sting, but they usually do so only when handled or threatened.
Cicada killer wasps mainly hunt annual or dog-day cicadas. They usually become active in summer at about the same time as these cicadas [5].
These wasps may reduce some annual cicada numbers, but they will not control a large periodical emergence.
If their nests are not causing a serious problem, leave the wasps alone. Do not touch them or block their nest openings.
10. Clean Up Dead Cicadas
Large numbers of dead cicadas may collect on patios, paths, lawns, and around trees.
Sweep or rake them into a pile. Wear gloves when handling large amounts, especially if some have started to decay.
Small amounts of dead cicadas can be added to a compost pile. Mix them with dry materials such as:
- Dead leaves
- Shredded cardboard
- Straw
- Wood chips
The dry materials help reduce moisture and odor.
Do not place a thick layer of dead cicadas around plants. A large pile may smell as it breaks down and could attract unwanted animals.
Empty cicada shells can be left on the soil or added to compost. They will slowly break down.
11. Keep Cicadas Out of Your Home
Cicadas do not infest houses, reproduce indoors, or damage furniture. However, they may fly through open doors and windows by accident.
Check window and door screens for holes. Repair any damage before cicada season begins.
Keep doors closed when cicadas are active. If you want fresh air, open only windows that have well-fitted screens.
If a cicada enters your home, place a cup or container over it. Slide a piece of stiff paper underneath and carry it outdoors.
You can also use a vacuum to collect dead cicadas and empty shells.
What Does Not Work Well Against Cicadas?
Many people search for something that kills cicadas instantly. However, there is no natural treatment that safely kills cicadas instantly during a large emergence. Trying to kill every cicada is usually unnecessary and may harm helpful insects and other wildlife.
Many homemade products also claim to repel cicadas, but most have little proof behind them.
Neem oil is used against many garden pests, but there is not enough evidence that it provides dependable control during a large cicada emergence. Homemade mixtures containing dish detergent may also burn or discolor plant leaves.
There is also little proof that peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, or other essential oils will keep cicadas away from outdoor trees. Strong oil mixtures may damage leaves and flowers.
Wrapping only the tree trunk will not protect the branches. Adult female cicadas can fly into a tree and lay eggs even when the trunk is covered.
Fine insect netting remains the safest and most dependable way to protect young trees.
Takeaway
You cannot completely get rid of cicadas during a large periodical emergence. Fortunately, the event is temporary and usually ends within several weeks.
Large, healthy trees normally do not need protection. Focus your efforts on young trees, newly planted fruit trees, valuable shrubs, pools, ponds, and areas close to your home.
If your goal is to get rid of cicadas naturally, use fine insect netting, delay new planting, remove small numbers by hand, and prune badly damaged branches after egg-laying ends. These natural methods can reduce damage and make cicada season easier to manage.
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