Trillions (Yes, Trillions!) of Cicadas are Coming This Spring. Here’s Where They’re Emerging and How Long They’ll Be Buzzing Around

Get ready for a swarm, because cicadas are returning this spring. A brood of these flying insects is starting to come out of hiding after nearly 20 years underground, and it’s going to be a spectacle to behold. Find out if your state will see cicadas below.

What are cicadas?

Periodical cicadas (the kind that come and go each spring) are insects in the order Hemiptera. You may also have heard them called by one of their other names, like aphids, leafhoppers, and shield bugs. Adult cicadas are recognized by their black markings from above and orange color underneath, with red eyes and clear wings, and the shrill sound they make. Annual cicadas are typically green and appear every summer.

Because periodical cicadas only appear after several years, they spend anywhere between 13-17 years underground as larvae, where they will survive off fluids from plant roots, according to the National Wildlife Federation. They emerge and molt into adulthood when the weather warms up.

What brood is coming?

There are over 3,000 species of cicadas around the world, including about 190 species in North America. However, there are only three species of 17-year periodical cicadas and four species of 13-year cicadas. Groups of cicadas that share the same emergence years are called broods. This year, Brood XIV periodical cicadas are starting to pop up after 17 years underground, and it’s particularly exciting for history buffs. It’s the oldest recorded cicada emergence brood and was witnessed by the Pilgrims in 1634, per Farmer’s Almanac. Pretty cool, right? This brood is the second largest periodical cicada brood after Brood XIX, per the University of Connecticut, nicknamed the Great(er) Eastern Brood.

They will emerge in droves between mid-May through late June, with some experts estimating trillions of cicadas emerging this spring. Once the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, 8 inches below the ground, the cicada nymphs will create exit tunnels and emerge to find something above-ground to climb on. They will molt, and adult cicadas will emerge to mate, lay eggs, and die. They leave their nymphs to make their way underground for over a decade before the cycle starts over again.

Here’s Where Cicadas Will Emerge

Periodical cicadas only swarm in the eastern and midwestern United States. Although they typically appear in wooded areas, some will also travel to suburban and urban areas.

This year, cicadas are expected to visit the following states, per USA TODAY :

• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

How long will the cicadas stick around?

Even though Brood XIV hasn’t emerged since 2008, it won’t be sticking around long. Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, told USA TODAY that once cicadas start emerging, they will only stick around for a few weeks.

“It takes about two full weeks for the great bulk of the cicadas to come out,” he told the outlet. “Once they start coming out at a specific location, that starts the clock. You’ll have cicadas at that location for the next six weeks.”

To track current sightings in your state, you can download the free Cicada Safari mobile app to learn more.

How loud are cicadas?

A swarm of these insects can get loud during their mating calls, like up to 100 decibels — or roughly the sound of a motorcycle revving. Only male cicadas sing to attract female cicadas for mating, which typically happens during the day. Unlike their singing counterparts, like crickets and katydids, cicadas don’t often sing or make noise at night unless they are near bright lights, hot weather, or if they feel crowded.

If the noise is bothering you too much, follow the Farmer’s Almanac’s tips to help reduce the noise:

• Don’t mow your lawn during the day (aka peak cicada hours), as the sound of a lawn mower can attract these bugs.
• Keeping your lawn watered can keep cicadas away, and you can also use the hose to knock cicadas off trees for a little peace and quiet.
• Net, net, net! Throw a net around every valuable shrub and young tree that you don’t want touched by cicadas, making sure the holes are less than 1 cm to prevent egg laying.
• When all else fails, turn on white noise, plug in headphones, and listen to music to try to distract yourself.

Benefits of Cicadas

Although the sound of cicadas may be annoying, these insects are actually harmless to humans and beneficial to local ecology. They provide a nutritious meal for birds, reptiles, and other creatures, enrich the soil when they decompose, and even help give mature trees a natural pruning that will lead to more flowers and fruit later on.

However, they’re not the best insects to interact with freshly planted trees or bushes, they may cut small shapes into leaves when laying eggs, which can damage them. If you are in one of the states affected, you might consider not planting any new fruit trees or bushes until after the season ends, or you can protect your saplings with netting.