Natural Remedies for Detering 13-Year Periodical Cicadas from Your Home

Every 13 years, a fascinating yet sometimes overwhelming natural event takes place: the emergence of periodical cicadas. These insects, known for their distinctive buzzing and synchronized life cycle, can swarm neighborhoods in massive numbers. While periodical cicadas are generally harmless to humans and pets, their loud noise and sheer volume can be a nuisance, especially when they decide to cluster around homes. Chemical pesticides are often discouraged because of environmental concerns and potential harm to beneficial insects. Fortunately, there are several natural remedies you can employ to deter these cicadas from your home without compromising the ecosystem.

Understanding 13-Year Periodical Cicadas

Before diving into deterrent methods, it’s helpful to understand what makes the 13-year periodical cicadas unique. Unlike annual cicadas that appear every summer, these cicadas spend 13 years underground as nymphs feeding on tree roots before emerging all at once. Their synchronized emergence ensures predator satiation, allowing many adults to survive and reproduce.

When they surface, they seek trees and plants to mate and lay eggs. The males produce loud mating calls that contribute to the intense noise pollution associated with cicada emergences. Although they don’t bite or sting and pose no significant health risk, their presence near homes can be disturbing.

Why Choose Natural Remedies?

Spraying chemical insecticides might seem like an easy solution but can have detrimental effects on the environment. Chemicals can harm non-target insects such as bees, butterflies, and beneficial predators that naturally keep pest populations in check. Additionally, pesticides may contaminate soil and water sources around your property.

Natural remedies offer safer alternatives that balance deterring cicadas while protecting your garden’s ecosystem. These methods tend to focus on creating unfavorable conditions for cicadas or physically preventing them from reaching your plants.

Natural Remedies for Detering Cicadas

1. Physical Barriers: Netting and Screens

One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep periodical cicadas away from young trees and shrubs is by using physical barriers.

• Fine Mesh Netting: Cover smaller trees, shrubs, or vulnerable plants with fine mesh netting (with holes smaller than 3/8 inch) before the cicadas emerge. This prevents adults from landing on branches to lay eggs.
• Window and Door Screens: Ensure all windows and doors have intact screens to avoid cicadas entering your home.
• Garden Fabric Covers: Lightweight garden fabrics can be draped over plants temporarily during peak emergence.

Physical barriers are eco-friendly and do not involve chemicals. They require some effort but offer immediate protection during the 4-6 week emergence period.

2. Plant Companion Plants That Repel Cicadas

Certain plants emit odors or have properties that naturally repel cicadas:

• Garlic: The strong scent of garlic is said to deter many insects including cicadas.
• Chrysanthemums: Contain pyrethrum compounds which are natural insect repellents.
• Lavender: Its fragrance may discourage cicadas from settling nearby.
• Marigolds: Known for repelling various pests through their scent.

Planting these companions around the perimeter of your yard or near vulnerable plants may reduce cicada activity nearby.

3. Create a Noisy Environment

Interestingly, noise can discourage male cicadas from singing and mating nearby:

• Using wind chimes or playing low-frequency sounds intermittently in your yard can disrupt their mating calls.
• Loud radio or speakers placed outdoors (at considerate volumes) may create an unfavorable environment.

This approach leverages the fact that cicadas rely heavily on sound for reproduction; a noisy environment may cause them to search elsewhere.

4. Use Natural Repellents

Several natural ingredients can be combined into sprays that deter cicadas:

Homemade Garlic-Pepper Spray

Ingredients:
– Several cloves of crushed garlic
– One teaspoon cayenne pepper
– One tablespoon liquid soap (preferably biodegradable)
– One quart water

Instructions:
1. Blend garlic cloves with water.
2. Add cayenne pepper and liquid soap.
3. Strain mixture into a spray bottle.
4. Spray generously on tree trunks, leaves, and surrounding soil.

The pungent mixture acts as a natural irritant discouraging cicada activity.

Neem Oil Spray

Neem oil is derived from the neem tree and disrupts insect growth:

• Mix neem oil with water according to package instructions.
• Spray on affected trees early in the morning or late afternoon.
• Repeat every few days during emergence season.

Neem oil is safe for most beneficial insects when applied properly.

5. Encourage Natural Predators

Periodical cicadas have several natural predators including birds, squirrels, raccoons, and certain species of wasps:

• Set up bird feeders or birdbaths near your yard to attract insect-eating birds.
• Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that kill predatory insects like praying mantises or ladybugs.
• Provide shelter like bushes or small trees where predatory animals can hunt freely.

By fostering biodiversity in your yard, you create a balanced ecosystem that naturally controls cicada populations.

6. Proper Tree Care

Healthy trees are less damaged by cicada egg-laying:

• Regularly water young trees especially during dry conditions.
• Mulch around the base to conserve moisture.
• Prune damaged or weak branches promptly.

Avoid fertilizing trees right before emergence as this may encourage vigorous new growth attractive to female cicadas for laying eggs.

7. Manual Removal

Though tedious during large emergences, hand removal can help reduce local numbers:

• Shake branches gently to dislodge adult cicadas into tarps or buckets filled with soapy water.
• Remove egg-laden twigs by pruning immediately after seeing damage.

Be sure to wear gloves as shells can be sharp or sticky when crushed.

What Not To Do

Avoid cutting down healthy mature trees just because of cicada activity—these insects rarely cause lasting harm to established trees.

Also refrain from using broad-spectrum chemical insecticides indiscriminately as these harm beneficial wildlife and pollinators essential for your garden’s health long term.

Conclusion

The arrival of 13-year periodical cicadas is a remarkable natural event worthy of appreciation despite some inconveniences they bring. Employing natural deterrents not only helps protect your home but also supports environmental health by reducing chemical reliance.

Using physical barriers like fine mesh netting combined with planting companion repellent plants provides excellent defense against these periodic visitors. Supplementing with natural sprays such as garlic-pepper mixtures or neem oil further discourages them without adverse effects on other wildlife.

Finally, encouraging biodiversity through habitat provision for natural predators completes a holistic approach for peaceful coexistence during these once-in-a-decade events. With patience and preparation using the remedies outlined above, you can minimize cicada disturbance safely and sustainably in your home environment.