Periodical Cicada

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use the labeled features above to confirm your identification.

🔬

PestControlBasics Editorial Team

Reviewed by Derek Giordano · Updated 2026

🔍 Identification

Adults: 25-30mm; black body; bright red eyes; orange wing veins — strikingly colored. Found in enormous numbers during emergence years; completely absent other years. Nymphs: underground for exactly 13 or 17 years depending on brood. Exit holes: 1/2-inch round holes in soil under deciduous trees.

🧬 Biology & Behavior

Multiple geographically distinct 'broods' with staggered emergence years. Some years see multiple broods emerging simultaneously — the 2024 emergence was a rare dual-brood event. Adults: mate, lay eggs in tree branches (causing 'flagging' — branch tip death), then die within 4-6 weeks. Nymphs hatch and immediately burrow underground to begin their multi-year development.

⚠️ Damage & Health Risk

Noise (males can reach 100 dB in aggregations); egg-laying damage to small tree branches (flagging); no damage to established trees; short-lived overwhelming presence. Zero damage to humans, pets, or structures.

🔧 DIY Treatment

Protect young trees (under 5 years) with fine mesh netting during oviposition period. No pesticide treatment warranted or appropriate — the emergence lasts only 4-6 weeks and the insects are harmless.

👷 When to Call a Pro

Never warranted.

❓ FAQ

Are periodical cicadas dangerous?

No — periodical cicadas don't bite, sting, or transmit disease. They can be startling in large numbers and the noise can be overwhelming, but they cause no harm to humans, pets, plants, or structures beyond minor branch damage to young trees.

When is the next periodical cicada emergence?

Emergence years depend on your specific location and brood. Brood XIX (13-year) and Brood XIII (17-year) both emerged in 2024 — a rare dual emergence. Check cicadamania.com for your specific brood's emergence year by county.

Factor	Details
U.S. Range	All or most U.S. states
Regional Detail	Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

Factor

Details

U.S. Range

All or most U.S. states

Regional Detail

Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

📅 Treatment Timing Guide

Treating at the right time dramatically improves results. Pest control timed to the life cycle uses less product and achieves better long-term control.

Period	Action
Spring	Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.
Summer	Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.
Fall	Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

Period

Action

Spring

Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.

Summer

Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.

Fall

Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

💰 Professional Treatment Costs

Service Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost
Initial inspection	Free (self-inspect)	$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)
One-time treatment	$30–$100 in materials	$150–$500
Annual service contract	N/A	$400–$900/year
Severe infestation	Often ineffective alone	$500–$2,500+

Service Type

DIY Cost

Professional Cost

Initial inspection

Free (self-inspect)

$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)

One-time treatment

$30–$100 in materials

$150–$500

Annual service contract

N/A

$400–$900/year

Severe infestation

Often ineffective alone

$500–$2,500+

Prices vary by region, property size, and infestation severity.

❓ Common Questions About 🦗 Periodical Cicada

How do I confirm I actually have this pest (not something similar)?

The most reliable confirmation is a physical specimen — capture one and compare to reference images on this page. For cryptic pests (bed bugs, termites), look for secondary signs: frass, shed skins, mud tubes, or bites with a specific pattern. When uncertain, a professional inspection is faster than months of misidentification.

Can I treat this myself or do I need a professional?

DIY is effective for small, accessible infestations caught early. Professionals are worth the cost when: the infestation is inside wall voids or structural elements, multiple rooms are affected, you have health-risk pests (hantavirus, venomous species), or DIY has already failed twice.

How long until the infestation is completely gone?

Expect 3–8 weeks for most infestations with proper treatment. Insects with dormant life stages (pupae, eggs) extend the timeline because those stages are impervious to most insecticides. Follow-up treatments at 2 and 4 weeks catch each new cohort as they emerge.

What's the most common mistake people make treating this pest?

Treating only the visible pest population while ignoring the harborage site, entry point, or breeding location. Killing adults provides temporary relief but the population rebuilds from hidden egg cases, pupae, or new arrivals through unaddressed entry points.

🦗 Periodical Cicada