Cicada Mania

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June 10, 2008

So when will they be gone?

Filed under: Brood XIV — Dan @ 8:26 pm

The big question right now is: “when will the cicadas be gone?” Alas, for some, their charm has dwindled.

Based on my experience maintaining this site over the past 12 years, emergences tend to last about 6 or 8 weeks from the emergence of the first adult until the last cicada dies. That timespan is for the entire emergence, covering all locations in every affected state. The emergence for you in your specific location should last around 4 weeks: 1 week to emerge, 2 weeks of singing and mating, 1 week of egg laying and dying. Most cicadas don’t follow that precise game plan, but that’s the basic idea: 4 weeks. Cicadas that emerged on June 1st, should be gone before the 4th of July.

BTW, based on the number of messages and emails I’ve received, Brood XIV appears to be a bigger event than Brood XIII. Brood XIII received more press (because it overlapped Chicago), but from my vantage point, Brood XIV is turning out to be the more exciting emergence.

15 Comments »

  1. Taylor says:

    Well we’re almost half way through September and they are stronger than ever here in Richmond Virginia!

  2. Ron Wilson says:

    I’m 80y/o and I will probably never get to see, or hear them again. Therefore, I am just enjoying something I will never experience again.

  3. Carrie says:

    When will we be completely polluted with them everywhere I know it’s towards the end they will get worse before they get better. When will we see the worse of them?

    1. Dan says:

      3 to 4 weeks.

  4. Gray says:

    I just heard from someone that they will last til August. I may need to take some anti anxiety meds or move in with my moms in Brooklyn. I’m having panic attacks thinking I’m stuck inside the entire summer!! Wish I had a different phobia this is bad!

    1. Dan says:

      Nah. No way August. The rain and cold weather are elongating the emergence, but I double they’ll be around most longer than July 4th.

    2. Pam says:

      I understand how you feel completely! They are everywhere! We bought a beautiful gazebo and I thought we would enjoy time under it..but the cicadas are hanging around all over it and they creep us out! In addition I’m constantly fighting my puppy not to eat one! Cicadas please go away@

  5. GRAY says:

    my area code is 10309 and i think it just gets worse everyday!!!! i fear bugs and havent been outside in weeks! was planning 4th of july bbq here but looks like i will have to cancel!!!! my poor kids are stuck inside thats how bad my yard is! i really thought by now they would be going away!

    1. Dan says:

      Normally they’re done by July 4th. That said, all the rainy days prolong the emergence because they chill out and wait for the sun to start their singing and mating. Pray for more sunny days so they use up their batteries, and drop dead. By my own measurements, they have gotten about 5 decibels quieter along Amboy in Staten Island, and I saw a lot of mortality this past weekend which tells me they’re on their way out.

    2. Pam says:

      I’m with u! I don’t care how harmless they say they are! I don’t want them on or near me and our beautiful yard is covered! I dread going outside for anything@

  6. Doris says:

    My zip code is 20002, I have’nt seen nor heard any cicadas so far, maybe they will not show up this 17 yr. term. What do you think? Will you e-mail me your comment please. Thanks

    1. Dan says:

      They’re more towards the area south of DC. If you don’t have them by now, you won’t get them.

  7. Judith says:

    I am in zip 23059. The cicadas have been here since may 1st or so. They are quiet for a couple of hours at night and also move at night so the noise level varies. During the day it is constant. Pretty crazy and at this point we will be happy when they are gone.

  8. Christian Herold says:

    Um. The question for me, in my duty to “greet the cicada,” is…when will they peak? I have to travel to get to the west Cape and I want the full sonic tornado. What it boils down to is this weekend (June 14/15) or can I just as well go next weekend (June 21/22).

    Thanks!

  9. linda burton says:

    I noticed a possible “menage a trois” with 3 cicadas interchanging positions with one another. Is this common? Thx.
    Linda

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