Cicadas emerge on predictable cycles, but strategic netting and timing can protect young trees from their egg-laying damage. If you are wondering how to keep cicadas away from your yard, the answer involves a mix of physical barriers, smart landscaping, and knowing exactly when to act. These insects are not harmful to humans, but they can be a massive nuisance due to the noise and the potential harm they cause to small branches.
You do not need to resort to dangerous chemicals to solve this problem. In fact, most experts recommend against using pesticides because they are ineffective and harmful to beneficial insects. Instead, you need a plan that focuses on exclusion and timing.
Let’s break down the most effective strategies so you can enjoy a quiet summer. We will cover everything from netting techniques to simple maintenance tasks that make your property less attractive to these buzzing visitors.
Understanding The Cicada Threat
Before you start covering your trees, you need to understand what you are dealing with. Cicadas are not like termites or ants; they do not bite or sting. The primary damage comes from the female cicada laying eggs.
She uses a sharp organ called an ovipositor to slit open small tree branches. She deposits her eggs inside these slits. This action can cause the branch to split, droop, and eventually die. This is called “flagging.”
While mature trees can usually survive this damage, young trees and saplings are at serious risk. A small tree can lose too many branches and become stunted or even die. That is why your focus should be on protecting vulnerable plants.
Why Pesticides Fail
Many homeowners make the mistake of spraying their trees with insecticides. This is a waste of money. Cicadas are mobile and numerous, and the spray only kills the ones it directly contacts.
Furthermore, spraying chemicals can kill bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are crucial for your garden. The chemicals can also linger in the soil. You should avoid this approach entirely.
Instead, you need to rely on physical barriers. These are the only reliable method for keeping cicadas off your specific plants.
How To Keep Cicadas Away
This is the core of your defense strategy. The most effective method is to use netting to physically block the insects from reaching the branches. You must do this before the cicadas arrive, not after.
Here is the step-by-step process for protecting your trees and shrubs.
Step 1: Choose The Right Netting
You cannot use just any netting. Standard bird netting has holes that are too large. Cicadas can easily squeeze through them. You need netting with a mesh size of 1/4 inch or smaller.
- Floating Row Cover: This is a lightweight fabric that lets in light and water but blocks insects.
- Fruit Tree Netting: Look for netting specifically labeled for insect exclusion.
- Tulle Fabric: This is a cheap and effective option available at fabric stores.
Make sure the netting is wide enough to cover the entire canopy of the tree. You want to cover the tree from the top down to the trunk. Ensure there are no gaps.
Step 2: Secure The Netting Properly
Simply draping netting over a tree is not enough. Cicadas are persistent. If they find a gap, they will crawl in. You need to secure the netting tightly around the base of the trunk.
- Drape the netting over the entire tree canopy.
- Pull the netting down to the main trunk.
- Use a zip tie or twine to cinch the netting closed around the trunk.
- Check the bottom edge for any holes or loose areas.
This creates a sealed “tent” around the tree. The cicadas can land on the netting, but they cannot reach the wood to lay eggs.
Step 3: Timing Is Everything
You cannot wait until you hear the first cicada to start netting. You need to be proactive. You should have your netting ready to go a few days before the expected emergence date.
How do you know when they are coming? Cicadas emerge when the soil temperature reaches about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually happens after a warm rain in late spring. Pay attention to local news reports or university extension alerts.
Once the cicadas are gone—usually after four to six weeks—you can remove the netting. Leaving it on too long can restrict tree growth.
Protecting Smaller Plants And Gardens
Netting works for trees, but what about your vegetable garden or rose bushes? You can use the same netting technique, but you might need to build a frame.
For garden beds, you can install hoops made of PVC pipe or metal conduit. Drape the netting over the hoops and secure the edges with soil or bricks. This creates a mini greenhouse that keeps cicadas out.
For individual shrubs, you can use a large trash can or a laundry basket to hold the netting off the foliage. This prevents the netting from crushing the plant while still blocking the insects.
Handpicking And Removal
If you have a small yard, you can reduce the population by handpicking. Cicadas are not fast movers. You can easily grab them off the trunk of a tree.
- Wear gloves if you are squeamish about touching them.
- Drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.
- Do this in the early morning when they are sluggish.
This method will not eliminate them all, but it can help reduce the noise level and the egg-laying pressure on your most valuable plants.
Landscaping Strategies To Deter Cicadas
You can also make your yard less appealing to cicadas. While they are attracted to trees, they are specifically drawn to the vibration of pruning saws and power tools. This is a strange quirk of their biology.
Female cicadas mistake the sound of a power trimmer for the sound of other cicadas. They will swarm to the area to lay eggs. This means you should avoid pruning your trees during the emergence period.
Delay Pruning And Planting
If you have a tree that needs a heavy prune, do it in the winter or early spring. Do not do it in May or June when cicadas are active. The fresh cuts and the vibration will attract them.
Similarly, do not plant new trees right before a cicada emergence. If you know a brood is coming, wait until the fall to plant. A young tree that is freshly planted is already stressed. Adding cicada damage on top of that can be fatal.
Use Water Strategically
Some gardeners report that spraying trees with a strong jet of water can knock cicadas off. This is a temporary fix, but it can be useful for saving a specific branch.
You can also use a hose to spray down the trunk of the tree. Cicadas often climb up from the ground. Washing them away can disrupt their path. However, this requires constant vigilance and is not a long-term solution.
Natural Predators And The Ecosystem
You do not have to fight this battle alone. Many animals love to eat cicadas. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, and even domestic cats and dogs will feast on these insects.
Encourage birds to visit your yard by providing birdbaths and feeders. While birds might not eat all the cicadas, they will help reduce the numbers. This is a natural form of pest control.
You should also avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides on your lawn. These chemicals kill the ground-dwelling insects that cicadas rely on. Keeping a healthy ecosystem is better for your garden in the long run.
What About The Nymphs?
You might see cicada nymphs crawling out of the ground. They leave behind small holes in the soil. These holes are actually beneficial because they aerate the lawn.
Do not try to poison the nymphs. They are not harming your grass roots. They have been underground for years, and they are simply emerging to mate. Let them be.
Dealing With The Noise
Even if you protect your trees, you will still hear the cicadas. The males produce a loud mating call that can reach 100 decibels. This is loud enough to damage your hearing if you are close by.
You cannot stop the noise with netting. The sound travels through the air. If the noise is unbearable, you can use white noise machines indoors or wear earplugs when working outside.
Remember, the noise is temporary. The adult cicadas only live for about four to six weeks. Once they die, the noise will stop. The eggs they laid will hatch, and the new nymphs will burrow into the ground for another long cycle.
Long-Term Prevention For Future Cycles
There are two types of cicadas: annual and periodical. Annual cicadas emerge every year, but periodical cicadas emerge on 13 or 17-year cycles. If you are dealing with a periodical brood, you have a long time before they return.
However, you should use this time to strengthen your trees. Healthy trees can withstand cicada damage better than weak ones. Water your trees deeply during dry spells and fertilize them appropriately.
If you have a tree that is already struggling, consider removing it and replacing it with a more resilient species. This is a drastic step, but it might be the best option for your landscape.
Community-Wide Efforts
Cicadas do not respect property lines. If your neighbor has a heavily infested tree, you will have cicadas in your yard too. Talk to your neighbors about the importance of netting.
If everyone on the block covers their young trees, the local cicada population will have fewer places to lay eggs. This reduces the overall damage in the neighborhood. It is a collective effort that benefits everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will vinegar or soapy water keep cicadas away?
Spraying a mixture of vinegar or soapy water on your plants might deter cicadas temporarily, but it is not a reliable solution. These sprays can damage the leaves of your plants if used in high concentrations. The rain will wash them away, and the cicadas will return. Physical barriers are much more effective.
Do cicadas bite humans or pets?
No, cicadas do not bite or sting. They have a straw-like mouthpart that they use to drink sap from trees. They might land on you, but they are not a threat to you or your pets. Dogs and cats might eat them, which can cause an upset stomach, but they are not toxic.
Is it safe to use duct tape around the tree trunk?
You should avoid using sticky tape directly on the bark of a tree. The adhesive can damage the bark and leave behind a residue that harms the tree. If you want to create a sticky barrier, wrap the trunk in a protective layer of plastic or fabric first, then apply the tape to that layer.
Can I use a tarp to cover my entire tree?
You can use a tarp, but it is not recommended. A tarp will block out sunlight and trap heat, which can damage the tree. You need a breathable material like netting or row cover fabric. These allow air and light to pass through while still blocking the cicadas.
How long do I need to keep the netting on?
You need to keep the netting on for the entire adult cicada season. This usually lasts about four to six weeks. You should monitor the news for updates on the emergence. Once you have not seen or heard cicadas for about a week, you can safely remove the netting.
Protecting your yard from cicadas requires patience and preparation. You cannot rely on sprays or repellents. The key is to cover your vulnerable plants before the insects arrive and keep them covered until the adults die off. By following these steps, you can minimize the damage and keep your trees healthy for years to come. It is a simple process of timing and physical exclusion that works every time.