Cicadas – THEY’RE HERE!

The 17-year Cicadas have arrived. I don’t know if I was imagining this or not but I was out on my deck at lunch yesterday and I was hearing some sort of clicking or crackling sound.  I looked around and there about a foot from me perched on the railing was a Cicada—large wings and red eyes—just as I remembered.   I then found several of the shells lying about near my house and I saw one trying out its newly unfurled wings flying a little lopsided with no direction in mind.  Eeek!!!

Like many of you, this is my fourth time putting up with these little (or big) demons.  My poor dog is now on his own.  Once they are out in full force and in all their glory, I am officially house-bound.  I will be running from my car to work daily dodging cars on National Road and carrying a rather large (fly) swatter.  However, I don’t intend to kill any because that gives me the heebie-jeebies.   And… I will not be eating any of them—they will not be on any dinner menu of mine.   In past years, I have seen birds fighting over them.  I have seen baby groundhogs climbing trees to get to them.  I have seen them squished everywhere you walk, and even people walking down the street with a Cicada catching a free ride.  If that will not drive you crazy, the noise will.

My husband and two boys better get ready because they are doing all the grocery shopping, dog walking, flower watering…and whatever else requires you to be outside.  Okay, to all the entomologists in the world, Cicadas are amazing and all that and I am happy for you, but I am just a little creeped out—nothing personal.  Mid-July really sounds good right about now as they should be gone by then.  Halleluiah.

Posted in In the Community | No Comments »