What Do Cicadas Eat?

Before finding out what do cicadas eat? You must know what exactly cicadas are. They are known for their loud, persistent calls in the summer months. Cicadas feed on sap from trees and plants. However, cicadas do not live in the home; they live in nearby places like gardens. You must book pest control services before it is too late. 

Where are Cicadas Found in the Home?

Meanwhile, cicadas are not found inside homes but might be around them, unlike ants and cockroaches, especially during the summer. 

In the Garden

• Cicadas stay, sing, and lay eggs on trees, trunks, and branches.
• You could also see cicadas on the ground near trees, exoskeletons from nymphs that just molted.
• Cicadas might land on shrubs, plants, on low vegetation to rest.

On Walls, Windows, or Doors

• Cicadas may crawl to vertical surfaces near lights during the summer or become disoriented after emerging.
• However, they accidentally fly into window screens or onto patios.

Under Decks or Patios

• Emerging nymphs may crawl up from the soil and attach to deck posts or patio furniture to molt.

In Basements 

• When there is a small crack or you leave your door open, cicadas might accidentally enter. Thus, they will not stay for long or make it their home.

What Do Cicadas Eat at different stages of life?

Nymph Stage 

• Cicada nymphs live underground for most of their lifespan and live up to 17 years.
• While underground, they feed on xylem sap from plant roots, especially those of oak, maple, and willow trees.
• Xylem sap is water with a few nutrients and minerals, so they must drink a lot to survive.

Adult Stage 

• After the cicadas come out, the lifespan of adult cicadas is a few weeks, with a main goal to mate.
• Adults also drink plant fluids from tree branches using their straw-like mouthparts.
• Moreover, cicadas do not chew leaves or bark, but just suck the juice from trees.

How to Remove Cicadas from Your Home?

What do cicadas eat? Are they harmful? Hence, these questions are common if you find pests in your home. You can book our pest control services to remove cicadas, which will help prevent further damage or infestation to your home. 

• Check for entry points where cicadas can enter, like cracks, gaps, or openings in your home’s structure. 
• Ensure your furniture, clothes, and other items are free from cicadas infestations. 
• Cicadas reproduce quickly, so if you see one in your home, check all the corners and outdoor areas, as there can be more. 
• However, the best option is to call the cicadas pest control team and book your slots. You must also know the cost of removal. 

How Long Do Cicadas Live?

Periodical Cicadas (13 or 17 years)

• These cicadas in the United States have the longest known insect life cycles.
• Depending on the brood, cicadas live underground as nymphs for 13 to 17 years.
• When they emerge, their lifespan is 4 to 6 years, which includes mating, laying eggs, and dying. 

2. Annual Cicadas (2 to 5 years, but appear yearly)

• Unlike the name, annual cicadas do not live more than a year; the life cycle is 2 to 5 years. 
• However, their populations are staggered, so some emerge every year.
• Like periodical cicadas, adults live only a few weeks above ground after emerging.

Different Types of Cicadas 

Annual Cicadas: These are 1–1.5 inches long, with black or green bodies and clear wings. They live on trees and shrubs in suburban areas.

Periodical Cicadas: It has a scientific name, Magicicada species, and is smaller than annual cicadas. They usually live in forested areas and come to neighborhoods after emerging. 

Western Cicadas: As the name suggests, western cicadas are found in the Western part of the United States. They live in dry, open woodlands and home gardens.

Cactus Cicadas are smaller and slender, varying in color from green to brown. They are usually found in deserts and dry residential areas with native plants.

Frequently Asked Questions