I'm Dreading Cicada Season. The Latest Swarm Will Invade These States

CNET

20-05-2025

Cicada season is upon us once again. From May through June, these noisy bugs will climb up from the ground and swarm in a number of eastern states before they disappear again. Cicada's are usually expected to be a noisy problem through the beginning and middle of summer, but 2025 has a gigantic cicada brood with billions of these flying insects emerging.
The Greater Eastern Brood is expected to emerge this summer, and it's the oldest brood in the US. Thirteen states can expect to deal with cicadas, and they've already been spotted in parts of Tennessee and Georgia.
I still remember the first year I saw a major cicada brood emerge. As a teenager, I watched as the swarm descended on my neighborhood. There were bugs everywhere -- in my grandparents' pool, inside my best friend's truck -- flying into open windows and causing a racket everywhere.
Cicadas are noisy and, when they emerge en masse, they cause their own brand of chaos. The noise can be deafening, and if you're overstimulated by too much noise like I am, you'll be counting the days until they disappear again. Investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones is one way to get ready for the insect invasion.
Thankfully these pests aren't a long term problem and after a few weeks they'll depart again until their next emergence. For Brood XIV, which is appearing this year, that means we won't see these particular critters again until 2037.
What are cicadas?
Cicadas are also known as "true bugs" and emerge on a 13-year or 17-year cycle.
Gene Kritsky/Mount St. Joseph University
Cicadas are small flying bugs that emerge from the ground periodically to mate and then disappear again. There are 15 broods of cicadas and each has its own life cycle, generally either 13 or 17 years. Brood XIV, the cicada brood emerging this year, is a 17-year brood and the last time we saw these particular insects was 2008.
Cicadas are loud and emit a constant buzzing sound when they make their appearance. While the noise can be aggravating, cicadas aren't a major problem for humans. That's because these bugs don't bite or sting -- they just show up everywhere for a few weeks before dying off again.
They measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, with wings that stretch twice that length. They have black bodies, red-brown eyes and orange veined membranous wings. The constant buzzing sound they emit is made by adult males seeking a female for mating.
How many cicadas are expected in 2025?
The 2025 brood is also called the Greater Eastern Brood and it's the second largest brood of periodic cicadas. They're outdone only by Brood XIX, aka the Great Southern Brood, which emerged in 2024. While there aren't exact numbers on how many cicadas we can expect this year, we do know that Brood XIV is massive.
It's also one of the oldest broods in the US. This particular brood was first spotted in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the 1600s, and it's the brood that spawned all the other 17-year broods. With that in mind, we can estimate that at least several million in certain areas, and possibly over a trillion total cicadas will emerge in 2025.
When do cicadas appear, and how long do they stick around?
Cicadas are a nuisance but they're here for a good time ... not a long time.While cicadas are a serious pest when they arrive, they don't last long. They'll mostly emerge in May and then stick around for 5 to 6 weeks before they die off. By mid-summer, just in time for the Fourth of July, the cicadas should be gone or at least on their way back underground for another 17 years.
Cicadas emerge when the soil 8 inches below ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Above-ground temperatures will need to reach the 70- to 80-degree range before the soil will warm up enough, although a warm rain can warm the ground faster. There already have been sightings in Tennessee this year but most of the brood probably won't arrive for a few more weeks.
Which states will be affected by cicadas in 2025?
Each cicada brood has its own geographical location, which means they don't all appear in the same place. In 2025, there are 13 states that will be affected; Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
How to deal with cicadas
The red-eyed bugs of Brood XIV, which will soon emerge by the millions. The cicada chasers are ready.Your immediate reaction to cicadas might be to try and eliminate them from your yard. We don't recommend it. Cicadas are a temporary pest and after a few weeks they'll disappear back underground. They aren't a threat to humans at all and they aren't able to chew their way into the house like termites.
Additionally, pesticides don't work properly on cicadas. Trying to spray them down won't do any good and could instead damage your yard or local pollinators. The best thing to do is to try to ignore them until they finish their life cycle.
The bigger problem for some people is the constant noise that cicadas make while they are above ground. It's a relentless buzz and, once the cicadas arrive, it won't stop until they die off again. If the never-ending noise drives you bonkers, grabbing a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make a major difference.
Male cicadas make noise to attract females they can mate with -- the more cicadas in an area, the louder it will be. Noise levels have reached more than 100 decibels in some areas, which means if you plan to spend time in the garden, it's a good idea to snag some earplugs to protect your hearing.
Cicadas and climate change
For centuries, cicadas have slept underground, emerging only once every 13 to 17 years to mate before disappearing again. While plenty of research has been done on these flying insects, cicadas react to the temperature around them and emerge on a schedule that is triggered by the warmth of the ground.
As the planet continues to heat up, the timing of cicadas has started to change. We may soon see a significant change in the life cycle of cicadas. As the temperatures rise, 17-year cicadas could become 13-year cicadas, changing the timeline on when we will see them.
While cicadas might be inclined to move further north, it's not an easy process. They can only migrate during their above-ground cycle of life. Because they only emerge for a few weeks at a time and aren't prone to flying long distances, any shift in their geographical locations would occur slowly during their emergences.
How you can help cicada researchers
Snap a photo and help researchers learn more about cicadas.
Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET
Researchers spend time with each brood when it emerges to study its life cycle and track when and where they emerge. However, scientists don't have the time or resources to be everywhere that cicadas appear.
That's where regular folks come in.
Cicada Safari is a free app for Android and iOS that lets you take photos of cicadas and upload them to the app. Using geolocation on those uploaded images, scientists can track a larger number of cicadas. Your photos of these flying bugs in your backyard can help scientists to understand them better, filling in holes in their research.
Protect your young trees from cicadas
While cicadas aren't harmful to people, that same doesn't go for trees. Female cicadas like to lay their eggs on trees where new leaves are located, which can damage branches and cause withering and snapping. While mature trees should be able to withstand this damage without problems, younger trees can be vulnerable and should be protected.
If you're worried about cicada damage, you have a few options. You can wrap tree trunks and areas where twigs meet branches with cheesecloth, tape and even use landscaping nets around smaller trees. A CNET guide from 2021 explains more about how you can protect trees from cicada damage.
Are cicadas edible?
Cicadas can be eaten but there are things you should know before cooking them.
Dan Mogzai
The simple answer is, yes. Cicadas can be eaten and people have been doing it for centuries.
Native American populations, like the Onondaga Nation, have long viewed the flying insect as a valuable food source. However, eating cicadas does come with risks. Cicadas are related to shrimp and lobster, which means eating them is not recommended if you have a seafood allergy.
Cicadas aren't dangerous to pets either, which means if your dog snacks on cicadas it should be fine.