If you’ve ever been caught off guard by a sudden wall of noise in your yard, you’ve probably asked one simple question: when do cicadas come out? The answer isn’t just “in summer.” Timing depends on where you live, what kind of cicadas are in your area, and whether it’s a major brood year.
Here’s the short answer: When do cicadas emerge and where? Here’s the data on timing and what makes them emerge, how long they stay, and what you might notice at home. And, you’ll find some tips for protecting your seedlings, how to keep your pets safe, and all the answers to your questions about their life cycle, stragglers, and if they really are dangerous.
Quick Answer: When Do Cicadas Come Out?
If you just want the short version:
- Annual (dog-day) cicadas: typically emerge every summer, most active June–August in the U.S.
- Periodical cicadas (13- and 17-year): emerge in late spring to early summer (often May–June) when soil about 8 inches deep reaches roughly 64–65°F.
- Regional pattern: southern areas often see emergence in late April–May; northern areas more often late May–June, depending on spring warmth.
- Adults live 4–6 weeks, so each local “cicada season” lasts roughly that long once they emerge.
Below, you’ll find detailed regional timing, life cycle context, and homeowner tips to help you prepare.
What Triggers Cicadas to Emerge?
Cicadas don’t just “decide” to come out on a random day. Their emergence is tightly tied to environmental cues and internal biological timing.
Soil Temperature Is the Final Trigger
The closest cue is soil temperature patterns. Nymphs will start coming out at about 8 inches deep when the temperature gets up to about 64-65F, usually following a rainy period. This explains why the first flush of cicadas in late spring/early summer is during warm, moist evenings.
Internal “Molecular Clock” and Tree Cycles
Research indicates that periodical cicadas measure the years with an internal clock set by the annual flush of tree sap and xylem fluid when trees leaf out. This internal timing aligns their emergence with their brood over the 13- or 17-year cycle.
Why Mass Emergence?
Cicadas all come out at once in a brilliant survival strategy called predator satiation. By sheer numbers, the entire bird, mammal and insect population cannot consume every one, so some will survive to breed and produce a new generation of banded magic wings.
Example: In Virginia, soil may hit 64°F in early May, while in Illinois the same threshold might not be reached until late May or early June. That’s why “when do cicadas come out” has different answers depending on your location.
When Do Cicadas Come Out by Region?
Timing varies by latitude, elevation, and spring temperatures. Here’s a general guide for the U.S.
General U.S. Pattern
- South (e.g., VA, NC, GA, AL, MS): often late April–May for periodical broods; annual cicadas peak June–August.
- Midwest (e.g., OH, IN, IL, MO): often late May–June for periodical broods; annuals peak mid-summer.
- Northeast (e.g., PA, NY, NJ, MD): often late May–June for periodical broods; annuals similar to Midwest.
Exact timing varies year to year with spring temperatures; warm springs = earlier emergence, cool springs = later.
How to Estimate Timing in Your Area
- Track local soil temperatures (many extension services or weather sites provide soil temp data).
- Watch for first sightings of nymphs on tree trunks, fences, or foundations after warm rains.
- Follow local university extension “cicada forecast” updates during major brood years.
Table 1: Typical Cicada Emergence Windows by Region
| Region | Periodical Cicadas (Typical Months) | Annual Cicadas (Peak Months) | Notes |
| South | Late April–May | June–August | Earlier with warm springs |
| Midwest | Late May–June | June–August | Varies with soil temp and brood |
| Northeast | Late May–June | June–August | Often slightly later than South/Midwest |
Annual vs. Periodical Cicadas: What’s the Difference?
Not all cicadas follow the same schedule. Understanding the difference helps explain why some summers are much louder than others.
Annual (Dog-Day) Cicadas
Not all annual, however, are on strictly one-year emergence cycles. They are actually on 1-5+ year emergence cycles, but because different years/years of emergence emerge in a summer they seem to come out every year. The largest emerging period is June-August, when they are called “dog-day” cicadas for being the most common insects during the hottest part of summer. Emergence density isn’t as high as periodical broods, but they’re loud.
Periodical Cicadas
Periodical cicadas remain underground in the nymph stage for either 13 or 17 years before emerging above ground. Broods are numbered I-XVII (17-year) and XVIII-XXX (13-year). “Stragglers” may emerge one year early or late, and may cause off-cycle emergences in off-year decades even when not part of a listed brood.
Table 2: Annual vs. Periodical Cicadas
| Feature | Annual (Dog-Day) | Periodical (13/17-Year) | Notes |
| Life cycle length | 1–5+ years | 13 or 17 years | “Annual” is a bit of a misnomer |
| Emergence density | Moderate | Very high (billions in brood years) | Predator satiation strategy |
| Peak activity | June–August | Late spring–early summer | Depends on region and soil temperature |
| Brood numbering | No | Yes (I–XXX) | Used to track 13- and 17-year broods |
Life Cycle: From Egg to Adult in 13, 17, or Fewer Years
Understanding the life cycle helps explain why timing varies so much.
Egg Stage
Females lay eggs in slits on small tree branches; eggs hatch in 6–10 weeks. The young cicadas eventually fall to the ground, where they dig into the soil and begin their underground stage.
Nymph Stage (Underground)
Nymphs feed on tree root xylem fluid and molt through several instars over years. For periodical cicadas, this stage lasts 13 or 17 years; for annuals, 1–5+ years.
Adult Stage (Above Ground)
Eggs. Nymphs emerge as soil warms, crawl up plants, and molt into adults. Adults are active for approximately 4-6 weeks; they mate, lay eggs, and die.
For example: A 17-year brood spends nearly 17 years beneath the surface, followed by just a few weeks (4-6) above ground as an adult before the following generation takes to the sky.
What to Expect When Cicadas Come Out
Once cicadas emerge, life above ground is loud, busy, and surprisingly short.
Noise Levels
The males call loudly to attract mates and their choruses may be quite loud in dense emergences. The noise level is greatest in the day in warm, hot, sunny weather although you will still hear some at dusk. If you’re wondering when do cicadas come out at night, the answer is: adults are mostly active during the day, but some calling and movement can continue into the evening, especially on warm nights.
Impact on Trees and Plants
Egg-laying can damage small branches, especially on young trees; mature trees usually tolerate it, making young tree protection important during major emergences. Nymph feeding underground is generally not harmful to established trees.
Pets and Humans
Are cicadas harmful? Cicadas do not bite or sting. They are safe for pets in small quantities, but eating a large number can make dogs and cats sick. While a few people find the noise or size of the insects intimidating, they are not harmful.
How Long Does “Cicada Season” Last Locally?
After the brood has emerged in your region, adults tend to be flying around for 4-6 weeks. If there are multiple broods in the same region the sum of each of the “cicada summers” could overlap, but not within the same one.
Practical Tips for Homeowners During Cicada Season
You can’t stop cicadas from emerging, but you can reduce their impact on your property with effective pest management and peace of mind.
Protecting Young Trees
- Delay planting new trees until after a major emergence if possible.
- Use netting or row covers on small trees to reduce egg-laying damage.
- Avoid heavy pruning during emergence; remove only clearly damaged branches.
Managing Noise and Nuisance
- Close windows during peak chorusing (hot afternoons).
- Use fans or white-noise machines if noise is disruptive indoors.
- Remember: the noise is temporary and ends within 4–6 weeks.
Pet Safety
- Prevent pets from eating large quantities of cicadas; monitor for vomiting or lethargy.
- Keep outdoor water bowls covered to avoid cicadas falling in and deterring pets from drinking.
Common Questions About When Cicadas Come Out
1.Do cicadas come out every year?
Annual (dog-day) cicadas appear in some form every summer, but periodical cicadas emerge in large numbers only every 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood.
2.What month do cicadas come out?
Periodical cicadas typically emerge in late spring to early summer (often May–June) when soil temperatures reach about 64–65°F. Annual cicadas peak June–August.
3.How do cicadas know when to come out?
They use an internal biological clock calibrated by seasonal changes in tree sap, with soil temperature (~64–65°F) acting as the final trigger for emergence.
4.Are cicadas dangerous to humans or pets?
No. Cicadas do not bite or sting humans. They’re generally safe for pets unless eaten in very large quantities, which can cause stomach upset.
5.Will cicadas hurt my trees?
Egg-laying can damage small branches on young trees, but mature trees usually recover. Protecting young trees with netting can reduce damage during major emergences.
6.How long do adult cicadas live?
Adult cicadas live about 4–6 weeks above ground. They spend most of their lives underground as nymphs (1–5+ years for annuals, 13 or 17 years for periodicals).
7.Why are cicadas so loud?
Males produce loud calls to attract mates. In dense emergences, thousands of males calling together create a chorus that can be surprisingly loud, especially in hot weather.
8.What Are “Straggler” Cicadas?
Some individuals emerge a year early or late due to developmental variations or environmental cues. Stragglers create small off-cycle emergences even in non-brood years.
Conclusion: When Do Cicadas Come Out, and What Should You Do?
The answer to “when do cicadas come out” Nasa small nuts Depending on where you are, which kind of cicadas you have around, and whether it’s a biggest brood year of the cicadas we’re excited to display next summer, annual cicadas typically arrive each summer in some form or another, with an Arriv in June, July-August that and a bit of priciera that arrive in late spring to about six inches is visible a needling that we are a lifetime below 64-65F and in the ground!
Informed about regional timing, Soil Temperature Triggers and Life Cycle, you can: Know When Cicadas Will Be Coming to Your Yard Easy ways to limit nuisance during emergence, including protecting small trees and controlling noise from pets. Remember: It may be loud, but it’s only temporary-and what a fascinating experience!
