Natural Ways to Deter Double Drummer Cicadas from Your Property

The double drummer cicada, known for its distinctive drumming sound and large size, can become a nuisance when it invades yards and gardens. These insects, while fascinating and often harmless, can cause damage to young trees and plants due to their egg-laying habits. If you’re seeking eco-friendly, natural methods to deter double drummer cicadas from your property, this comprehensive guide will provide effective strategies to minimize their presence without resorting to harmful chemicals.

Understanding Double Drummer Cicadas

Before diving into deterrent methods, it’s important to understand the behavior and life cycle of double drummer cicadas. Native to parts of Australia, these cicadas are among the largest species and are particularly known for their loud drumming sounds produced by males during mating season.

• Life Cycle: Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs feeding on root sap. After several years, they emerge en masse in spring or early summer to mate.
• Damage: Female cicadas lay eggs in slits cut into tree branches, which can weaken young trees and shrubs. Heavy infestations may lead to branch dieback.
• Attraction: Male cicadas use their drumming calls to attract females. Vibrations and tree species play a role in where they congregate.

By understanding these aspects, you can better tailor natural deterrent practices that disrupt their life cycle or make your property less attractive.

1. Encourage Natural Predators

One of the most sustainable ways to control cicada populations is by fostering an environment that attracts their natural predators.

Birds

Many bird species enjoy feeding on cicadas once they emerge above ground. To attract insectivorous birds:

• Install bird feeders and birdbaths.
• Plant native trees and shrubs that provide shelter.
• Create a bird-friendly habitat by avoiding pesticides.

Bats

Bats consume a large number of flying insects at night, including cicadas.

• Set up bat houses around your property.
• Maintain water sources like ponds or fountains.
• Avoid bright nighttime lighting that disorients bats.

Other Predators

Predatory insects like praying mantises and spiders also prey on cicadas.

• Plant diverse flowering plants to attract beneficial predatory insects.
• Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill beneficial species.

Encouraging these predators helps keep cicada numbers balanced naturally.

2. Use Companion Planting Techniques

Certain plants repel cicadas or mask the sounds males use for mating calls. Incorporating these plants into your garden can reduce cicada attraction.

Cicada-Repellent Plants

• Garlic: Its strong odor is believed to deter many insects.
• Chrysanthemums: Contain pyrethrins which repel some pests.
• Marigold: Known for repelling various insects through scent.
• Lavender: A fragrant herb that deters many bugs.

Planting these around susceptible young trees or garden beds may help reduce cicada presence.

Strategic Planting

Planting dense ground covers or shrubs around young trees can physically limit where female cicadas can safely lay eggs.

3. Employ Physical Barriers

Physical exclusion is one of the most straightforward methods to protect vulnerable plants from cicadas.

Netting

Cover young tree branches with fine mesh netting during peak egg-laying seasons (late spring/early summer).

• Use lightweight insect netting with holes smaller than the size of female cicadas.
• Ensure nets are securely fastened so insects cannot enter underneath.
• Remove nets after the egg-laying period ends.

Tree Wraps and Guards

Tree wraps placed around trunks can prevent some egg-laying on lower branches and discourage nymph emergence damage later.

Mulching

Applying thick mulch around the base of trees may deter emerging nymphs from accessing roots easily.

4. Manage Soil Moisture and Health

Since cicada nymphs live underground feeding on roots, soil conditions influence survival rates.

• Avoid overwatering as soggy soils favor nymph development.
• Encourage healthy soil with organic matter that supports robust plant root systems less vulnerable to damage.
• Aerate compacted soil to improve drainage and root health.

Healthy plants are more capable of withstanding minor egg-laying damage caused by cicadas.

5. Reduce Attractants

Minimizing factors that attract adult cicadas can reduce their attraction to your property.

Limit Excess Lighting

Bright outdoor lights at night attract many flying insects including cicadas. Use:

• Motion-sensor lights instead of constant illumination.
• Yellow or amber LED bulbs which are less attractive to insects.

Avoid Excessive Tree Pruning Before Cicada Season

Fresh cuts on trees emit odors attracting female cicadas looking for egg-laying sites. Delay pruning until after peak cicada activity if possible.

6. Natural Repellents and Sprays

While harsh chemical insecticides are not recommended due to environmental harm, some natural repellents may offer mild deterrence when applied carefully.

Neem Oil

A plant-based oil with insect-repellent properties that disrupts feeding and reproduction in many pest insects including cicadas.

• Spray neem oil diluted according to instructions onto leaves and branches before emergence season begins.

Homemade Garlic Spray

Blend garlic cloves with water, strain, and spray onto trees periodically during active seasons to mask plant odors that attract cicadas.

Essential Oils

Mixtures containing peppermint, eucalyptus, or citronella oils sprayed around plants have anecdotal success deterring various pests but require frequent reapplication after rain or watering.

7. Timing & Monitoring Is Key

Knowing when double drummer cicadas emerge allows you to implement deterrents effectively rather than year-round efforts that waste resources.

• Monitor local reports or entomology resources for expected emergence periods.
• Begin netting or spraying just before adults appear.
• Remove physical barriers promptly after the main egg-laying period ends to allow beneficial insects access.

Regularly inspect young trees for signs of egg slits or damage so you can take timely action in future years.

Conclusion

Double drummer cicadas are impressive creatures whose life cycles intersect with our gardens in complex ways. Using natural methods such as encouraging predators, companion planting, physical barriers, soil health management, reducing attractants, and employing non-toxic repellents provides an eco-friendly strategy for deterring them from your property. While no single method guarantees complete exclusion, combining multiple approaches tailored to your local environment helps balance coexistence with protecting valuable plants sustainably. With patience and proactive care, you can minimize the impact of these unique insects while maintaining a vibrant, healthy outdoor space.