A swarm of pests known for their loud buzzing noise is expected to infest the East Coast of the US. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), periodical cicadas — large insects that are often confused with locusts — will soon resurface en masse and remain above ground for about a month to reproduce.
Cicadas appear every year along the East Coast, in the South, and in the Midwest United States, but the yearly cicada numbers pale in comparison to the huge influx of 17-year cycle insects.
In one of nature’s great mysteries, the bugs are expected to invade this spring for about a month before disappearing again until 2030.
The coming bug storm shouldn’t prompt fear, according to experts.
“Although cicadas may be intimidating with their large size and striking red eyes, the good news is they do not pose any health threats to humans,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. “The bad news is these pests can appear in the hundreds of thousands per acre and quickly become a nuisance.”
The loud sounds the cicadas make can also be considered a nuisance. The cicadas spend nearly their entire lives underground and will begin to surface when the underground temperature reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Cicadas are most active during the day when the temperature is at its warmest, so the best advice for avoiding them is to stay indoors during peak hours,” added Henriksen.
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