Every 200 years, an extraordinary event takes place, fascinating and yet overwhelming for many homeowners—the Cicada Super Bloom. As we approach the Cicada Super Bloom of 2024, where the 13-year and 17-year cicada cycles overlap, understanding what this means for your lawn and garden is crucial. This natural phenomenon resulted in the significant emergence of cicadas, known for their loud chirping and large gatherings, which created a spectacle across many parts of the Eastern United States.

While cicadas are mostly harmless, their presence in large numbers can be unsettling and noisy. They spend most of their lives underground, only emerging to mate and lay eggs, which leads to the next generation burrowing underground for another 13 or 17 years. During this brief above-ground phase, cicadas are known to lay eggs in small slits they make in tree branches. Although these slits typically do not cause lasting damage to trees, it’s important to understand how to manage your landscape during this time effectively.

As your partner in lawn and tree care, we at Fairway Lawns offer insights and services to help you navigate through this unique time with confidence. We’ll discuss protective measures and how to minimize the impact on your outdoor space without overstating the mild threats posed by these fascinating insects. Let’s prepare together to ensure your green spaces remain healthy and vibrant, even during the Cicada Super Bloom.

Understanding the Cicada Super Bloom

A Cicada Super Bloom is a rare natural event where two different groups of cicadas, living underground for either 13 or 17 years, emerge at the same time. Imagine the ground covered with these buzzing insects, climbing trees and singing loud enough to be heard blocks away. This spectacular occurrence happens just about every 200 years, making it a truly special phenomenon when both these long-living cycles align.

The reason behind their different emergence cycles remains a bit of a nature’s mystery, aiding in their survival by dodging predators who can’t rely on such a feast regularly. It’s a remarkable strategy from these creatures, which spend most of their lives quietly growing underground only to celebrate their maturity in a loud and visible couple of weeks above ground.

Cicadas’ Impact on Your Outdoor Space

When cicadas emerge, they are on a mission to continue their species, and this can mean thousands of them finding their way onto your lawn and trees. Here’s how they affect your green spaces: the female cicadas make tiny cuts in the branches of trees to lay their eggs. This action, known as flagging, may look serious but usually doesn’t harm the overall health of mature trees. However, smaller or younger trees might struggle to cope with this kind of invasion.

While we can’t completely stop these natural events, what we can do is help strengthen your trees and shrubs to handle these conditions better. Regular health checks and treatments by our team ensure your greenery is robust enough to face any such natural occurrences with resilience. By keeping your landscape healthy, we improve its ability to recover from any stress, including a cicada super bloom.

Protective Measures for Your Lawn During Cicada Season

With the upcoming Cicada Super Bloom, there are several straightforward steps we can take to protect your lawn and young trees. One effective strategy is to wrap the trunks of young trees. This method prevents cicadas from climbing up and laying eggs in the branches, which is crucial for the health of younger or more vulnerable trees.

Additionally, maintaining a healthy lawn is vital during this period. Regular mulching can help retain soil moisture and provide a barrier against some of the minor surface movements from emerging cicadas. Proper watering practices are also essential; deep, infrequent watering encourages strong root growth, which helps your lawn recover faster from any disturbance caused by cicadas.

After the Bloom: Cleaning Up and Preparing for the Next Cycle

Once the cicada activity subsides, the cleaning process begins. Removing cicada debris promptly from your lawn helps prevent any potential damage or disease from affecting the grass. This includes clearing away dead cicadas and the twig segments that may have dropped as a result of their egg-laying.

Also, it’s a good time to assess any damage to your trees and shrubs. While cicadas typically don’t cause severe damage, the egg-laying process can stress younger plants. We recommend a thorough inspection of your trees and possibly light pruning of any affected branches to help them recover.

Cicada Season: Preparing Your Lawn for the Underground Army

Navigating the challenges and curiosities of a Cicada Super Bloom can be much simpler with a bit of preparation and the right support. Remember, while the buzz and activity might be overwhelming, it’s a short-lived phase and one that can be managed effectively with proper care techniques.

At Fairway Lawns, we’re committed to helping you maintain a lush, healthy outdoor space year-round. If you’re looking for personalized professional services to prepare for or recover from the cicada season, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to ensure your lawn remains in top condition, providing peace of mind no matter what nature brings our way.

To learn more about our comprehensive lawn and tree care services, or to schedule a consultation, give us a call today. Together, we can keep your green spaces flourishing, even through the seasons of cicadas!