are cicadas really that bad???

Question

big talk about the 17 year cicadas, and unfortunetely, i have never experienced them before, can you please tell me what its like and is it really as bad as the video on youtube makes it look, are they really everywhere, and if so, how long before all of them are gone and it is ok go outside and climb trees and other such activities

Answer 1

They're not harmful to people, per se, as they're not toxic. However, when hundreds of thousands of insects come swarming in and disrupting your everyday life it can be a bit irritating. Many animals, insects especially, may experience sharp population swells and many times no one knows exactly why it happens. Abundance in resources may be the most obvious factor, but soon enough you'll see a population crash as the insects consume most of their resources and overcrowd.

It's fine to go climb trees and play in the street, but just remember there's a bunch of little bugs in your way. If you don't mind stepping on them or having them hit your face as you go along, by all means go ahead. I have a phobia of insects, so I'd be behind locked doors until the swell has died down. :D

Answer 2

We had our 17 year invasion here in VA a couple years ago...they really were everywhere, and you could hear them singing loudly all day long...I thought it was kind-a cool...it only lasted a short time...maybe a couple weeks...I still went outside, sometimes a cicada landed on me, or not...every time I rolled down my car window I got the little guys in my car. Some folks really hated them and stayed inside or tried to swat them all with a broom or something...they are harmless, don't worry about them and go about all your normal activities.

Answer 3

Not really as bad as they put on. Certain tree species are more affected than others, so noise levels can vary. You can climb trees anytime you want, they don't bite nor are they poisonous. Once they come out, they hang around for about 3 weeks, mate, dig holes, lay eggs, and croak.

Answer 4

There more of a nuisance than anything. They like to leave there shells behind too which is kinda cool. Right after they get their wings, they are kind of slow, so they are fun to mess with.