The Cicadas Have Arrived

FAIRFAX, Va. (May 17, 2013) – After spending 17-years underground, the Brood II cicadas have begun reappearing in certain areas along the east coast. Members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) have reported sightings in New Jersey and North Carolina.

These cicadas will not come out of the ground until the temperature eight inches below the surface reaches 64 degrees. Once above the surface, they will spend about a month to reproduce, before laying their eggs and dying. Their offspring will not be seen above ground again until 13 or 17 years later.

Female cicadas can lay between 400 and 600 eggs, so enormous populations of this pest are expected in the mid-Atlantic region over the next few weeks. Luckily, cicadas are considered a nuisance pest and do not pose any threats to humans or property.