Do 13-Year Periodical Cicadas Attract Other Pests to Your Garden?

Periodical cicadas are one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena. Every 13 or 17 years, billions of these insects emerge from underground, creating a spectacle that captivates gardeners, scientists, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Among these, the 13-year periodical cicadas, particularly those belonging to Magicicada species, are known for their precise life cycle and synchronized mass emergence. While their unique lifecycle is well documented, many gardeners often wonder if the arrival of these cicadas has secondary effects on their gardens, especially in terms of attracting other pests.

In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between 13-year periodical cicadas and other garden pests, what you might expect during a cicada emergence, and how to protect your garden effectively during this natural event.

Understanding 13-Year Periodical Cicadas

First, let’s understand what makes 13-year periodical cicadas so unique:

• Life Cycle: These cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs feeding on root fluids. After 13 years, they emerge en masse, molt into adults, mate, lay eggs in tree branches, and die within a few weeks.
• Mass Emergence: Their synchronized emergence overwhelms predators, ensuring enough survive to reproduce.
• Ecological Role: Cicadas aerate soil by burrowing and provide a food source for many animals.

Despite their brief surface presence, their impact can be significant due to sheer numbers.

Do Cicadas Attract Other Pests?

A common concern among gardeners is whether the arrival of massive numbers of cicadas draws additional pests to the area. It’s logical to think that the sudden abundance of cicada bodies and secretions might create opportunities for other insects or animals. Here’s what research and observations show:

Predatory Insects and Animals

One of the most noticeable effects of cicada emergences is the influx of predators:

• Birds: Many bird species feast on adult cicadas. The abundance of food leads to increased bird activity in gardens during emergence periods.
• Small Mammals: Raccoons, squirrels, and other mammals may take advantage of this temporary food bonanza.
• Reptiles: Some lizards and snakes also prey on cicadas.
• Insects: Wasps (such as cicada killer wasps), spiders, ants, and beetles are known to hunt or scavenge cicadas.

While these predators are not considered pests in the traditional sense, many are beneficial or neutral, they do contribute to increased animal activity in your garden.

Secondary Pests: Opportunistic Scavengers

The mass die-off of adult cicadas provides a large organic matter source. This can attract various scavengers:

• Ants: Ants are often drawn to dead insects as a protein source. Their increased presence may or may not be problematic depending on ant species.
• Flies: Blowflies and other carrion flies use dead cicadas as breeding sites.
• Beetles: Certain scavenger beetles feed on dead insects.

These scavengers generally help break down cicada remains and recycle nutrients back into the soil. They rarely cause direct harm to plants but can be more noticeable during emergence events.

Impact on Plant Health: Do Other Pests Harm Plants Post-Cicada?

A critical question is whether the influx of other pests following cicada emergence leads to increased damage to plants.

Cicada Nymph Root Feeding

Before emergence, nymphs feed on tree roots underground for over a decade. While this feeding is typically minor and does not harm mature trees significantly, it might stress young trees or plants with shallow roots.

Egg-Laying Damage

Adult female cicadas cut slits into small branches to lay eggs. This process can cause “flagging” where twigs die back. Repeated egg-laying damage over several years can weaken young trees.

Secondary Pest Damage?

The presence of scavengers like ants or beetles does not usually translate into additional plant damage. However:

• Certain ant species may farm aphids attracted to plants for honeydew; this could indirectly increase aphid populations.
• Increased bird activity might lead to some disturbance in garden beds but generally is harmless or beneficial by controlling insect populations.

Overall, there is no strong evidence that other pests attracted by cicadas cause significant additional harm to garden plants.

Managing Your Garden During Cicada Emergence

Though periodical cicadas do not typically bring destructive secondary pests that harm plants en masse, their presence can be a nuisance for some gardeners due to noise and physical damage from egg-laying. Here are some tips for managing your garden during emergences:

Protect Young Trees

• Tree Netting: Use fine mesh netting or row covers over young or vulnerable trees before adult emergence (start covering as soon as nymphs begin emerging).
• Timing: Remove netting after a few weeks once adults have completed mating and egg-laying.

Clean Up Dead Cicadas

Removing dead bodies can reduce attraction for scavenger flies:

• Use rakes or leaf blowers gently.
• Composting is effective since cicada bodies decompose quickly.

Encourage Natural Predators

Birds and beneficial insects help keep overall pest populations balanced:

• Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that kill helpful species.
• Provide bird feeders or water sources to encourage avian visitors.

Monitor Pest Populations

Keep an eye out for aphid infestations or ant swarms that might increase temporarily:

• Use organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soaps if necessary.

Benefits of Cicadas in Your Garden Ecosystem

It’s important not only to focus on potential negatives but also consider the benefits periodical cicadas bring:

• Soil Aeration: Nymph burrowing improves soil health.
• Nutrient Cycling: Decaying bodies enrich soil with nitrogen.
• Food Source: Support a range of wildlife that helps maintain ecological balance.

Cicada emergences are rare events that foster biodiversity and dynamic ecosystem processes.

Conclusion

While it’s true that the massive emergence of 13-year periodical cicadas temporarily attracts various predators and scavengers, including birds, small mammals, wasps, ants, flies, and beetles, this does not lead to a significant increase in harmful garden pests. Most secondary visitors are either beneficial predators helping control other insect populations or harmless scavengers aiding decomposition.

Gardeners should focus on protecting young trees from egg-laying damage and managing the abundant organic matter post-emergence with simple clean-up techniques. Embracing this natural event while taking minimal protective measures will ensure your garden thrives long-term without unnecessary pest problems triggered by cicadas.

Ultimately, 13-year periodical cicadas contribute more benefits than detriments to your garden’s ecosystem. Their impressive lifecycle reminds us how interconnected nature truly is, and how patience during their brief visit brings rewards beneath the surface for years afterward.