Residents of central and southern Ohio should prepare for a noisy spring and summer as Brood XIV of periodical cicadas emerges across parts of the region. According to the University of Connecticut, this is the second-largest cicada brood, expected to hatch in 13 states, including areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
In Ohio, the USDA Forest Service predicts cicadas will surface in Brown, Highland, Fayette, Ross, Pike, Scioto, and Lawrence counties. The emergence is expected to begin between late April and mid-May, once soil temperatures eight inches underground reach 64°F. The insects will remain active for about 4-6 weeks, filling the air with their distinct buzzing mating calls.
Despite their overwhelming numbers and deafening “songs,” cicadas pose no threat to humans or pets. However, their egg-laying habits may cause minor damage to trees and shrubs. Newly planted trees can be protected with netting or cheesecloth, while delaying new landscaping until after the cicadas disappear may also be beneficial.
According to Tom Macy, manager of the ODNR Division of Forestry Forest Health Program, cicada noise is considered “the loudest natural sound in the world.” After emerging, cicadas shed their exoskeletons, mate, and lay eggs in tree branches. The newly hatched nymphs will drop to the ground and burrow underground—remaining there for 17 years until the next emergence.
While they may seem like a nuisance, cicadas play a valuable role in the ecosystem, serving as an abundant food source for birds, wild turkeys, and other wildlife. Experts advise against using pesticides or repellents, as they are ineffective against the insects.
Ohioans should brace themselves for a rare natural spectacle, as the buzzing Brood XIV marks another chapter in the fascinating cycle of periodical cicadas.
