Will Cicadas Devour Your Garden?

If you're a gardener, you might be wondering, "Will cicadas eat my garden?" The short answer is no, cicadas do not typically feed on plants or vegetables. However, they can cause indirect damage, and their presence can be overwhelming. Let's delve into the fascinating world of cicadas and understand their impact on your garden.

Cicadas are fascinating insects that spend most of their lives underground, feeding on sap from tree roots. They emerge en masse every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species, to mate and lay eggs. This phenomenon, known as a cicada brood, can be quite spectacular, with billions of cicadas taking to the skies.

Cicada Lifecycle and Diet

The lifecycle of a cicada is complex and intriguing. After emerging from the ground, adult cicadas live for about four to six weeks, during which they mate and lay eggs. The nymphs then drop to the ground, burrow into the soil, and feed on root sap for several years before emerging as adults.

Throughout their lives, cicadas feed primarily on sap from tree roots. They do not consume leaves, flowers, or fruits. This means that your garden plants are safe from cicada appetites.

Why Cicadas Don't Eat Your Garden Plants

Cicadas have specialized mouthparts called piercing-sucking mouthparts, which they use to feed on sap. These mouthparts are not equipped to chew or tear through leaves or stems. Additionally, cicadas prefer the sap of woody plants, which is rich in nutrients. Your garden plants, which are typically herbaceous, do not provide the type of sap that cicadas find appealing.

Moreover, cicadas are not known to be attracted to the scent of common garden plants. They are more likely to be drawn to the scent of tree sap, which is released when trees are stressed or damaged. This is why you might find cicadas congregating around trees in your yard, but they are unlikely to venture into your garden beds.

Indirect Damage Caused by Cicadas

While cicadas do not directly feed on garden plants, they can cause indirect damage. When adult cicadas emerge from the ground, they can damage young trees and shrubs as they climb out. They may also lay their eggs on small branches, which can cause them to break under the weight of the eggs.

Another concern is that the large number of cicadas can attract predators, such as birds, which may also feed on your garden plants. Additionally, the droppings from the cicadas can accumulate and potentially harm young plants or cause damage to your garden if they are not cleaned up.

Managing Cicadas in Your Garden

If you're dealing with a cicada infestation, there are a few strategies you can use to protect your garden.

First, ensure that your trees and shrubs are healthy and well-maintained. Healthy plants are better able to withstand the stress of cicada activity. You can also prune branches that are heavily infested with eggs to prevent damage to the plant.

Physical Barriers

You can use physical barriers, such as netting or row covers, to protect young plants from cicadas and other predators. These barriers can be placed over your garden beds until the cicadas have finished laying their eggs.

Another option is to use physical removal. You can handpick adult cicadas from your plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them. This method is most effective when used in combination with other control strategies.

Attract Alternatives

You can also try to attract cicadas away from your garden by planting trees and shrubs that are known to be attractive to them. These plants can act as a buffer zone, drawing cicadas away from your garden plants.

Some trees and shrubs that are known to be attractive to cicadas include maples, oaks, and elms. You can also plant these trees in your yard to provide a food source for the cicadas, which can help to reduce the number of cicadas that are attracted to your garden.

In the end, it's important to remember that cicadas are a natural part of the ecosystem, and their presence can be beneficial in many ways. They provide a food source for many animals, and their burrowing activity can help to aerate the soil. By understanding their lifecycle and habits, you can take steps to protect your garden while still allowing these fascinating insects to play their role in the ecosystem.