Cicadas in the Garden: Should You Really Be Worried?

Those aren’t dead cicadas.

They’re shed exoskeletons.

Before becoming adults, cicada nymphs climb out of the soil and attach themselves to trees, fences, walls, and other vertical surfaces.

They then split their old outer skin and emerge as winged adults.

The empty shell remains attached to the surface.

You can safely remove the shells if you don’t like the appearance, but there is no need to treat your trees because you see them.

In fact, finding lots of empty shells is simply evidence that cicadas have successfully completed their final molt.

Should You Remove Dead Cicadas From the Garden?

You don’t have to.

After a large emergence, you may find dead cicadas scattered around your yard, flower beds, patios, and beneath trees.

They will naturally decompose.

Dead cicadas can also contribute organic matter and nutrients to the soil as they break down.

If you dislike the smell or appearance, you can rake them up and add suitable material to a compost pile.

There’s no need to panic about a few dead insects lying around your garden.

Cicadas Can Actually Be Part of a Healthy Ecosystem

Although gardeners often view large insect populations as pests, cicadas are also part of the natural food web.

Birds, mammals, reptiles, and other predators can feed on them.

Their emergence provides a temporary food source for wildlife, while their eventual decomposition returns nutrients to the ecosystem.

So having cicadas in your yard isn’t automatically a sign that your garden is unhealthy.

Sometimes it simply means you’re witnessing a fascinating part of the insect life cycle.

When Should You Actually Be Concerned?

The presence of cicadas alone isn’t usually a reason to worry.

Pay closer attention if you have:

• Newly planted trees
• Young fruit trees
• Small ornamental trees
• Young grapevines
• A large number of cicadas during a periodical emergence
• Extensive branch-tip damage
• More than a small portion of a young tree’s canopy turning brown

Young fruit and ornamental trees are among the plants most likely to benefit from temporary protection.

For large established trees, the best strategy is often simply to monitor them.

A Simple Cicada Garden Checklist

If cicadas have appeared in your yard, here’s what to do:

1. Don’t panic.

Cicadas aren’t automatically a garden infestation.

2. Check your trees.

Look especially at young trees and small branches.

3. Protect vulnerable young trees.

Use fine mesh netting during the egg-laying period.

4. Don’t automatically spray pesticides.

Chemical control is generally unnecessary for ordinary home gardens.

5. Keep young trees watered.

Good irrigation is particularly important during hot, dry weather.

6. Look for branch-tip damage.

Brown, dead tips can be a sign of egg-laying activity.

7. Prune dead branches after activity ends.

Remove clearly dead or broken twigs back to healthy tissue.

8. Don’t worry about your vegetable garden.

Cicadas aren’t going to eat your tomatoes or destroy your lettuce.

9. Don’t confuse cicada damage with disease.

Widespread discoloration may have another cause.

10. Give established trees time to recover.

Healthy mature trees generally tolerate cicada damage surprisingly well.

The Bottom Line: Should You Be Worried About Cicadas in Your Garden?

For most gardeners, the answer is no.

Cicadas may be loud, messy, and unsettling when they appear in large numbers, but they are not the destructive garden pests many people assume they are.

The biggest concern is female cicadas laying eggs in the small branches of young trees.

Established mature trees can generally tolerate this damage, while newly planted trees and young fruit trees may need temporary protection with fine mesh netting.

You also don’t need to rush out and spray your garden with insecticide simply because cicadas have arrived. In many situations, physical protection, proper watering, monitoring, and a little patience are all that’s necessary.

So the next time you hear that unmistakable buzzing coming from the trees, take a closer look before reaching for the pesticide.

Those strange-looking insects may be noisy—but in most gardens, they’re far less dangerous than they appear.