How to Reduce Cicada Activity and Noise Around Your Home
Cicadas are known for their loud buzzing calls that fill the air during warm Idaho summers. While their sound is a natural part of the season, large groups can reach extremely high noise levels—sometimes over 90 decibels—and quickly become a nuisance for homeowners trying to enjoy the outdoors. Though they do not bite, sting, or cause major structural damage, cicadas can stress young trees and ornamental plants if activity is heavy around your yard.
Understanding what attracts cicadas and how to make your property less appealing can greatly reduce both noise and seasonal disruptions.
What Attracts Cicadas to Your Property
Warm Weather and Mating Behavior
Male cicadas create their loud calls to attract females. When several gather in one tree or shrub, the combined sound can be surprisingly intense. Warm, sunny weather increases their activity, while cooler or overcast days naturally quiet them down.
Young Trees and Shrubs
Female cicadas lay their eggs on young twigs and branches. Newly planted or small trees are most at risk. Repeated egg laying can weaken tender branches or cause “flagging,” where tips of small limbs die back. Covering young trees during peak emergence can significantly reduce damage.
Vibration and Movement
Cicadas are unusually sensitive to vibration. Activities such as mowing, trimming bushes, or using power tools can draw cicadas toward the movement as they mistake it for other insects.
To avoid swarms around your equipment, schedule yardwork for early morning or cooler periods when cicada activity naturally drops.
Light and Heat Reflection
Bright surfaces—fences, siding, patio furniture, or brick walls—absorb heat and draw cicadas looking for warm resting spots. Outdoor lighting can also attract other insects that cicadas may follow.
Understanding Cicada Cycles
Depending on the species, cicadas emerge every year or in large synchronized groups every 13 or 17 years. These periodic emergences create a sudden spike in activity, noise, and egg laying. While Idaho does not typically experience the massive broods seen in eastern states, local cicada populations can still appear suddenly and cause temporary disruption.
The good news: cicada seasons are short, lasting only a few weeks each summer.
How to Make Your Property Less Appealing to Cicadas
You cannot prevent cicadas from emerging, but you can greatly reduce their activity near your home.
Protect Young Trees
Wrap young or newly planted trees with fine mesh netting during cicada season to prevent egg laying on tender branches.
Keep Landscaping Healthy
Well-watered, established trees and shrubs tolerate cicada feeding far better than stressed vegetation. Proper watering and pruning help reduce vulnerability.
Limit Outdoor Lighting
Use warm-colored bulbs and turn off unnecessary lights at night to reduce insect activity that may attract cicadas to your home.
Time Outdoor Chores Wisely
Mow lawns, trim shrubs, and use loud equipment during the coolest part of the day. Cicadas are sluggish during early morning temperatures and much less likely to swarm.
Remove Yard Debris
Cicadas rest in low shrubs and cluttered areas. Keeping your yard tidy reduces resting spots near your home and helps minimize noise levels.
Use Physical Barriers Where Needed
Ensure window screens, door seals, attic vents, and soffit covers are intact. Cicadas do not usually enter homes intentionally, but they can wander inside through gaps.
When to Call a Professional
While cicadas generally do not require the same level of pest control as destructive insects, you may benefit from professional support if:
- You experience repeated heavy cicada activity in specific landscaping areas
- Your young trees or shrubs are being damaged by egg laying
- You want expert guidance on tree protection and seasonal prevention strategies
A trained technician can identify risk zones and recommend customized seasonal measures to minimize noise and disruption around your home.