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Cicadas are annoying. But do they bite or sting? Here's what's fact and fiction.

Corrections & clarifications: A previous version of this story misidentified Brood XIII

Two separate cicada broods emerged in mid-May 鈥 a simultaneous event that hasn鈥檛 occurred in 221 years and won鈥檛 happen again until 2245.

Seventeen states are seeing 鈥渢rillions鈥 of Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas. That may feel like deja vu to many Americans who remember the Brood X cicadas of 2021, which emerged in most of the Midwest and some eastern states.

Most people aren't thinking about the novelty of it, though. They're likely dreading a yard full of dead carcasses and the seemingly never-ending noise. But are cicadas harmful to you or your yard?聽

Cicada bug resting on large leafy plant outdoors.

Do cicadas bite?

Cicadas do not bite because they don鈥檛 have those mouthparts, pest experts previously told the Indianapolis Star, part of the 91影视 Network. They instead use a long, straw-like tube to suck the fluids from trees.聽

Are cicadas harmful?

Though annoying, cicadas are not harmful to you or your pets. There鈥檚 no need to be concerned about your dog or cat eating fallen cicadas. Many wildlife species will even benefit from the extra protein.

They may also help your plants 鈥 the decomposing bodies of cicadas contain lots of nitrogen, which makes for good fertilizer, IndyStar reports. There is some concern for small trees, however, because female cicadas use a saw-like appendage to lay eggs on them, causing damage to branches. This results in a 鈥渘atural pruning,鈥 experts previously told 91影视 and you may see 鈥渇lagging,鈥 or patches of withered and wilted leaves. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends in mesh.

The only harm might be to your sanity 鈥 cicadas make a buzzing noise that can be as loud as a lawnmower, about 100 decibels. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's legal limit for noise level in the workplace is 90 decibels over eight hours, the length of an average workday in the 91影视

But cicadas are unlikely to cause hearing damage for the average American, who likely isn鈥檛 getting close enough or staying near them long enough to experience adverse effects, experts previously told 91影视.

Still, the noise can cause anxiety or discomfort, especially for those with sensory sensitivity. Check out 91影视鈥檚 full guide on how to tune out the fears of cicada noise.

Tips and tricks:How to save your trees and shrubs from damage

When do cicadas come out in 2024?

The two cicada broods will begin to emerge starting in mid-May and ending in late June. If the weather is consistently warm and dry, the cicadas will finish mating sooner, which would mean a shorter season. Their typical lifespan is four to six weeks, and they will start to die off in late June.

Expect cicadas in these states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Virginia

How long do cicadas live?:When you can expect the bugs to die off

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