Cicadas And Plants: How To Protect Your Garden During An Emergence

The rhythmic buzz of cicadas is a soundtrack to summer, a primal symphony signaling the changing seasons. But for gardeners, the arrival of these winged wonders can stir a mix of fascination and trepidation. While cicadas themselves are harmless to humans, their sheer numbers during an emergence can pose challenges for delicate plants. This guide delves into the fascinating world of cicadas, their impact on gardens, and practical strategies to safeguard your green oasis.

Understanding the Cicada Lifecycle: A 17-Year Wait

Cicadas are masters of patience. Most species spend the majority of their lives – a staggering 17 years for some – as nymphs, burrowing underground and feeding on tree roots. This subterranean existence is crucial for their development, allowing them to absorb nutrients and grow. When the time is right, triggered by soil temperature reaching a specific threshold, they emerge en masse, a phenomenon known as a “brood.” This synchronized emergence strategy overwhelms predators, ensuring the survival of at least some individuals to continue the species.

The Emergence: A Spectacle and a Challenge

The emergence itself is a spectacle. Nymphs crawl out of the ground, molt into their adult forms, and take to the trees. Their primary goal is reproduction, a process accompanied by the unmistakable, deafening chorus of male cicadas calling for mates. This phase lasts for several weeks, after which the adults die, leaving behind their exoskeletons and eggs, which hatch and begin the cycle anew. While captivating, this emergence can be stressful for plants. Adult cicadas feed on tree sap, puncturing twigs and branches with their straw-like mouthparts. While this feeding doesn’t usually kill healthy trees, it can cause cosmetic damage, like flagging (wilting and browning of twigs). More vulnerable are young trees and shrubs, which may suffer more significant harm.

Protecting Your Garden: A Multi-Pronged Approach

Fortunately, there are several strategies to minimize the impact of cicadas on your garden:

1. Timing is Key:

• Plan Ahead: If you know a cicada emergence is imminent in your area, avoid planting young, vulnerable trees and shrubs in the year leading up to it.

• Delay Pruning: Pruning creates fresh wounds that attract cicadas. Hold off on pruning until after the emergence subsides.

2. Physical Barriers:

• Mesh Netting: Drape fine mesh netting (with a mesh size smaller than cicadas) over young trees and shrubs. Secure it tightly to prevent cicadas from accessing the foliage.

• Trunk Wrapping: Wrap the trunks of young trees with burlap or hardware cloth to protect them from climbing nymphs and adults.

3. Water Wisely:

• Deep Watering: During the emergence, provide deep, thorough watering to stressed plants. This helps them withstand the additional stress of cicada feeding.

4. Avoid Pesticides:

• Ineffective and Harmful: Pesticides are largely ineffective against cicadas and can harm beneficial insects and the environment.

5. Embrace the Wonder:

• Temporary Disruption: Remember, the cicada emergence is a temporary event. While it may cause some inconvenience, it’s a natural phenomenon that plays a vital role in the ecosystem.

• Educational Opportunity: Use this event as a learning experience for yourself and others. Observe the cicadas’ life cycle, their unique behaviors, and their importance in the food chain.

Beyond the Garden: Cicadas and the Ecosystem

Cicadas are more than just noisy visitors; they are ecological powerhouses. Their emergence provides a feast for birds, mammals, and other predators, boosting their populations. Their burrowing activity aerates the soil, improving its health. And their decaying bodies return nutrients to the earth, enriching the soil for future generations of plants. By understanding their lifecycle and implementing protective measures, we can coexist with these fascinating creatures while safeguarding our gardens. The cicada emergence, though temporary, offers a unique opportunity to witness the wonders of nature and appreciate the intricate web of life that surrounds us.