April 29, 2024

Guarding Your Greenery: Simple Strategies to Shield Your Garden from Cicada Infestations

If cicadas have invaded your property, employing DIY strategies can help mitigate their presence. Although some DIY methods can be effective, professional treatment is often unnecessary, as cicada activity tends to be short-lived, typically lasting around 5-6 weeks.

For a comprehensive approach to naturally discourage cicadas from your yard and prevent them from entering your home, consider the following detailed strategies:

1.Seal Entry Points:

• Inspect all potential entry points meticulously, including gaps around pipes, vents, utility lines, and electrical conduits.

• Use a combination of materials such as silicone caulk, expanding foam, weatherstripping, and door sweeps to ensure a tight seal.

• Consider installing door sweeps with brushes or bristles to prevent cicadas from crawling underneath doors.

• Utilize mesh screens with a fine mesh size to cover vents and openings, ensuring proper ventilation while keeping cicadas out.

2. Yard Inspection:

• Systematically examine every inch of your yard, starting from the perimeter and moving towards the center.

• Use a magnifying glass or hand lens to inspect plant foliage for cicada eggs, nymphs, or damage.

• Look for signs of cicada activity, such as exuviae (shed skins), egg-laying scars, or sap oozing from feeding sites.

• Pay special attention to areas with dense vegetation, as cicadas tend to prefer these locations for feeding and mating.

3. Protective Measures for Trees and Shrubs:

• Apply sticky bands or barriers to tree trunks to prevent climbing nymphs from reaching foliage.

• Use row covers or floating row covers to protect vulnerable plants from cicada damage, particularly during egg-laying periods.

• Encourage beneficial insects and birds by planting native vegetation and providing nesting sites and water sources.

• Consider installing physical barriers like wire mesh cages or PVC pipe frames to shield individual plants from cicada feeding.

4. Covering Water Features:

• Install fine mesh covers or netting over ponds, fountains, and water features to prevent cicadas from laying eggs in the water.

• Use skimmer socks or filter socks to trap cicadas and prevent them from clogging filtration systems.

• Maintain proper water circulation and aeration to discourage egg-laying and inhibit larval development.

• Clean and inspect water features regularly to remove any debris or dead cicadas that may accumulate.

5. Prompt Removal of Carcasses:

• Establish a daily or weekly routine for collecting dead cicadas from outdoor surfaces.

• Use a handheld vacuum with a soft brush attachment to gently remove cicadas from delicate plants without causing damage.

• Dispose of collected cicadas in sealed plastic bags or containers to prevent odors and discourage scavengers.

• Consider composting cicada carcasses in a designated compost pile to recycle nutrients back into the soil.

6. Strategic Placement of Outdoor Furniture:

• Position outdoor furniture away from trees and shrubs where cicadas are active to minimize contact.

• Use lightweight, breathable covers made from materials like mesh or canvas to protect furniture from cicada waste.

• Clean and sanitize furniture regularly to remove any residue left by cicadas and prevent staining or damage.

• Consider using repellent sprays or natural deterrents to discourage cicadas from landing on outdoor furniture surfaces.

7. Timing of Outdoor Activities:

• Plan outdoor activities and gatherings during early morning or late evening when cicada activity is typically lower.

• Use noise-masking devices or white noise machines to minimize the disturbance of cicada calls during outdoor events.

• Avoid using loud equipment such as lawnmowers or leaf blowers during peak cicada activity periods to reduce noise and vibration.

By implementing these detailed strategies and incorporating them into your ongoing yard maintenance routine, you can effectively manage cicada presence in your yard and create a more comfortable outdoor environment for yourself and your family.