Knowing the Cicada Apocalypse
Why Cicada Boom In this Spring
There are two types of cicadas: annual (or “dog-day”) cicadas and periodical cicadas. The periodical cicadas are especially famous for their synchronized life cycles, culminating in massive emergencies every 13 or 17 years. The “cicada boom” in the spring of 2024 marks the mass emergence of periodical cicadas. This phenomenon is due to periodic cicadas maturing underground for nearly two decades before synchronously surfacing. This strategy, known as predator satiation, ensures their survival by overwhelming predators with their sheer numbers. This event is significant in certain eastern U.S. states, affecting local ecosystems and activities like pool maintenance during their short adult phase.
What Are the Main Features of Cicadas?
☆ Not toxic
☆ Don’t bite or sting
☆ Cover saplings/ new trees
☆ Good for the soil
☆ valuable food source for wildlife
☆ Pesticides are not normally effective
☆ emerge when the soil reaches 64ºF in early April or May, die in late June in the USA
How to Keep Cicadas Out of My Backyards and Pool
Choosing the Right Landscaping
☆ Non-Preferred Trees and Plants
Cicadas typically prefer deciduous trees like oak, maple, and ash for laying eggs. You can reduce their presence by landscaping with less attractive options to cicadas, such as coniferous trees (e.g., pines and firs) or certain shrubs that do not appeal to cicadas.
☆ Herbal and Aromatic Plants
Planting strong-scented herbs and flowers can also deter cicadas. Add garlic, marigolds, and lavender around your garden and outdoor living spaces to keep cicadas at bay.
Barriers and Physical Preventatives
☆ Fine Mesh Netting
Install fine mesh netting over trees and shrubs, especially those that cicadas prefer for laying eggs.
☆ Physical Exclusions for Young Trees
For younger trees, which are more vulnerable to cicada damage, use tree wraps or cicada netting sleeves that encase the trunk and lower branches.
☆ Garden Enclosures
Consider enclosing vegetable gardens or flower beds with cicada-proof netting.
☆ Window and Door Screens
Please make sure that all windows and doors that open to patios or gardens are equipped with well-fitted screens to keep cicadas out of your home during their peak activity.
Timing Outdoor Lighting Wisely
It’s effective to adjust your outdoor lighting to minimize cicada attraction to your yard. Reducing light pollution by switching to yellow or warm LED lights can make a significant difference, as these are less appealing to cicadas. Consider using motion sensor lights that only activate when necessary, and strategically place lights away from areas you spend time, directing them towards the yard’s perimeter instead.
Using A Pool Cover
Using a pool cover is a simple and effective way to keep cicadas and other debris out of your pool. By covering your pool when it’s not in use, especially overnight, you can significantly reduce the amount of cicada intrusion and maintain cleaner water. Pool covers help keep cicadas out, minimize evaporation, and maintain water temperature, making them beneficial for overall pool maintenance.
Maintain Swimming Pool During Cicadas Season
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Enhanced Filtration and Circulation
Enhancing your pool’s filtration and circulation systems is crucial for maintaining clean and healthy water. Improved filtration involves using high-efficiency filters that can trap smaller particles, including cicada debris, ensuring the water remains clear. Optimizing circulation by adjusting the pool pumps and ensuring that water flows through all parts of the pool prevents stagnation and promotes even distribution of chemicals. An efficient robotic pool cleaner or skimmer like AquaSense Pro is also instrumental in significantly aiding water clarification.
Chemical Balance Management
Proper management of chemical levels in your pool is essential for ensuring water safety and clarity, especially during periods of increased use and contamination, such as a cicada boom. Regularly testing and adjusting pH levels, chlorine concentrations, and other necessary chemicals help prevent algae growth and bacterial contamination.
Professional Cleaning Services
Consider hiring professional pool cleaning services for heavy cicada infestations or if the above methods prove insufficient. They can provide deep cleaning and more thorough maintenance that might be required to restore your pool’s condition fully.
Safety Tips: Insecticides Using
Type of Insecticide
Not all insecticides are equally effective against cicadas. Contact insecticides, which kill insects upon direct contact, can be used to treat areas where cicadas are abundant. However, systemic insecticides, which are absorbed by plants and then ingested by the insects feeding on those plants, are generally ineffective because adult cicadas do not feed on leaves but on plant sap.
Timing of Application
Insecticides are more effective if applied at specific times in the cicada life cycle, such as when nymphs are emerging from the ground and before they climb up trees and shrubs to moult into adults.
Environmental Impact
Consider using insecticides judiciously because of their potential detrimental effects on the environment and collateral damage to non-target species such as beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. Cicadas are an important food source for many predator species during their emergence.
Area of Application
Insecticides might be more practical for protecting specific, high-value plants or small areas rather than widespread application due to the large numbers of cicadas that can emerge and the extensive areas they can cover.
Don’t Let Your Dogs Eat Cicadas
While not toxic, Cicadas can pose health risks to dogs if consumed in large quantities. The hard exoskeleton of cicadas can challenge digestion and potentially lead to gastrointestinal issues or blockages. Additionally, the sheer number of cicadas available could encourage overeating, leading to significant health problems. It’s best to keep a close eye on your pets and prevent them from ingesting these insects during their prolific season. If your dog consumes cicadas, keep a close eye on any clues of discomfort and seek advice from your veterinarian if any health concerns occur.
