Community Corner

Cicada Sighting By Dotty And Mont! Break Out The Bagpipes!

Dotty and Mont Bavin of Madison were visiting Dotty's mom on West Street in North Guilford Wednesday when they saw some small, winged critters crawling out of the ground after a 17-year sleep.

Yes, the cicadas have arrived and they're out looking for a mate so they can start the whole cycle over again.

The romantically inclined orange-eyed bugs pose no direct threat to humans, but they can wreak havoc on small trees and bushes,and cause digestive upset in your dog if he or she eats too many. Other than that, they are mainly a nuisance or a natural wonder, depending on your point of view.

The Cicada Mania website is encouraging people to enjoy the spectacle and resist the temptation to slaughter them with environmentally harmful chemicals that could kill other beneficial critters like bees. 

Have they hit your backyard yet? Here's a map of where they have emerged so far. How are you dealing with it? Let us know in the comments. 

If you're not sure how to feel about it or what to do, here are some tips below from Cicada Mania website: 

"They're coming, and I have baby trees!

  • Spray them off with a garden hose.
  • Foil around the trunk (to keep them from crawling up) (thanks Deborah).
  • Insect barrier tape.
  • Place netting over your precious ornamental trees: Try a landscaping supply place - where you bought the baby trees in the first place.
  • Bagpipes (no joke, it worked at my friend's wedding).
  • Don't use pesticide - we like all insects (especially pollinating bees).
They're coming, and they scare me!
  • Get a grip! They're only bugs.
  • Try a hat, an umbrella, a bee-keepers' outfit, a suit of armor...
They're coming, and they're going to ruin my wedding!


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