Do Cicadas Hurt My Garden?

Cicadas, those periodic invaders of our gardens and landscapes, often leave us wondering: do they pose a threat to our plants? The short answer is no, cicadas generally do not hurt your garden. In fact, they can even be beneficial. Let's delve into their habits, life cycle, and impact on plants to understand why.

Firstly, it's crucial to understand that cicadas are not pests in the traditional sense. They don't feed on plants like aphids or caterpillars do. Instead, they spend most of their lives underground, feeding on sap from tree roots. This is why you might find their empty exoskeletons on the ground after they've emerged from the soil, but rarely see them on your plants.

Cicadas' Life Cycle and Habits

Cicadas have a unique life cycle that spans several years, typically 13 or 17 years, depending on the species. They spend most of this time underground, feeding on sap from tree roots. Only during their final nymph stage do they emerge from the soil, climb a tree or other structure, and molt into their adult form.

As adults, their primary goal is to mate and lay eggs, not to feed. They do not have functional mouthparts, so they cannot eat. This is why they only live for a few weeks to a few months, just long enough to reproduce.

Why Cicadas Don't Hurt Your Garden

Given their life cycle and habits, it's clear why cicadas don't harm your garden. They don't feed on plants, and their brief adult phase is spent mating and laying eggs, not damaging foliage. In fact, their emergence can be beneficial. Cicada nymphs aerate the soil as they tunnel through it, improving soil health. Additionally, their adult bodies provide a nutrient boost when they die and decompose.

Moreover, cicadas are a vital food source for many birds, bats, and other wildlife. Their emergence can even indicate a healthy ecosystem, as it requires a large, undisturbed area to support such a population.

When Cicadas Might Seem Harmful

While cicadas themselves don't harm plants, their emergence can sometimes seem like a threat. For instance, large numbers of cicadas emerging at once can temporarily block sunlight, giving the appearance of a sudden infestation. However, this is just a temporary phenomenon and doesn't cause lasting damage.

Similarly, the eggs that female cicadas lay in tree branches can sometimes cause those branches to break under the weight. However, this is not a common occurrence and is more likely to happen in older, weaker trees. It's also important to note that this is not a result of the cicadas feeding on the tree, but rather the weight of their eggs.

Cicadas and Your Garden: Coexisting Peacefully

Given their beneficial aspects and lack of harmful effects, it's clear that cicadas are not enemies in the garden. Instead, they can be seen as a fascinating part of the ecosystem. So, the next time you see a swarm of cicadas, take a moment to appreciate these periodic visitors and their role in nature.

If you're still concerned about their presence, remember that they won't be around for long. Cicadas' brief adult phase ensures that they won't overstay their welcome. Plus, their emergence is a reminder that spring has truly arrived, and summer is just around the corner.

In the end, cicadas are not something to fear or control in your garden. Instead, they're a natural phenomenon to observe and appreciate. So, the next time you see these periodic visitors, embrace them as a part of your garden's natural cycle.