What are the Dangers caused by Brood X Cicadas?
Cicadas live for long periods of time underground, usually 13 or 17 years, and feed on tree roots both underground and above ground. The term ‘brood’ refers to a cicada’s population that is separated from other populations because of variances in their emergence year or location. This article is about the dangers caused by brood X cicadas in all residential and commercial places.
The Dangers caused by Brood X Cicadas
Cicadas cannot bite or sting, but when the males sing, the collective chorus could hit up to 100 decibels, a level of noise that can inflict serious harm if exposed for several hours. An aircraft flyby at 1000 feet, a motorcycle, or a motorized lawnmower all have 100 decibels.
Small twigs may be injured by deep slits cut by the female as she sets her rows of eggs, which cicadas can create during egg-laying (a female can lay 500 eggs roughly that are laid in over different places). Covering every tree limb and shrubs with fine fabric or netting helps prevent this pest damage.
DIY Methods
If you’re worried about your plants and young trees, there are several things you can do to protect them that don’t use pesticides or other chemicals. There are a few DIY methods you can do by yourself without any professional help to get rid of the Brood X Cicadas. You should try these pest control methods if you don’t want your tree in a garden to get hurt.
- Using Essential Oils as A Deterrent
- Cover pools and hot tubs
- Foil & Barrier Tape
- Netting
- Patch up any holes around the home
Using Essential Oils as A Deterrent
You can deter them from entering your yard by spraying your trees and plants with essential oils or other non-harmful pest control sprays. Mint, vinegar, and eucalyptus are all repellent to cicadas.
Cover pools and hot tubs
Cicadas find hot tubs and pools to be desirable landing spots. However, once they’re in the water, they won’t be able to get out and will drown. Their carcasses could be too huge for filters or circulators, causing the filters to clog and burn out. When not in use, cover pools and hot tubs securely, and remove any cicadas that land in the water as soon as possible.
Foil & Barrier Tape
To capture cicadas attempting to push up bushes to feed or lay eggs, wrap tree trunks and large shrubs in foil or adhesive bands (barrier tape).
Netting
Wrapping young or important plants with netting to protect those.
Patch up any holes around the home
Just a few eager cicadas can find their way through cracks in your screen doors, windows, or pool cage. If possible, we recommend using a screen repair kit to patch up any screening around your home—this will also help keep other backyard bugs out.
Preventative maintenance is also beneficial. Trim and prune your trees and shrubs to reduce the number of places where cicadas can lay their eggs. During a cicada invasion, you should also avoid planting young trees. The cicadas’ invasion will not kill your older trees or you, but you might want to invest in a decent pair of headphones. These are a few methods that might work on Cicadas, if you feel it does not have any improvement you may need professional help.