Cicadas and Your Home: Understanding Property Risks and Prevention for 2026

For homeowners, the appearance of cicadas primarily poses a risk of cosmetic damage to young trees and shrubs from egg-laying females; the insects are not dangerous to humans or pets and do not cause structural damage to homes. Protecting vulnerable landscaping with physical barriers is the most effective strategy for the 2026 season.

When is cicada season expected in 2026? The cicada season varies by type and location. Annual cicadas, which appear every summer across the continental United States, are typically most active from mid-summer into early fall. For 2026, periodical cicada broods are not anticipated to have a major, widespread emergence like the historic Brood X event. However, smaller, regional broods on 13 or 17-year cycles may be active. These periodical cicadas emerge once soil temperatures reach approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit, which usually occurs in late spring or early May in many regions.

What type of property damage can cicadas cause? The primary property concern involves landscaping, specifically young trees and woody shrubs. Female cicadas use a sharp, blade-like organ called an ovipositor to slit twigs and small branches to lay their eggs. This process, known as flagging, can cause the affected stems to wilt, hang down, or break off. While mature, healthy trees typically withstand this damage with minimal long-term impact, it can be significant for saplings or recently transplanted ornamental trees. Based on our experience assessment, the damage is largely cosmetic and does not threaten the structural integrity of your home or larger, established trees.

How can I protect my trees and shrubs from cicadas? The most reliable method for protecting vulnerable plants is physical exclusion. For the 2026 season, consider these practical steps:

• Use Protective Coverings: Drape young trees and prized shrubs with mesh netting or cheesecloth that has openings of a quarter-inch or smaller. This creates a barrier that prevents cicadas from reaching the branches to lay eggs.
• Apply Barrier Bands: Wrapping the trunks of small trees with waterproof foil or specialized sticky barrier tape can intercept cicadas as they climb. This method is most effective for nymphs emerging from the ground and adults seeking to ascend.
• Time New Plantings: If you are planning significant landscaping, it may be prudent to avoid planting young trees in the year of a major periodical cicada emergence. A gentle spray of water from a garden hose can also dislodge cicadas from plants without using chemicals.

Are cicadas dangerous to people or pets? Cicadas are not aggressive and do not pose a significant threat. They lack stingers and are not known to transmit diseases. An accidental poke from their mouthparts, which are designed for sucking plant fluids, is possible if one is handled, but it is a defensive reflex, not an attack. Cicadas may fly indoors through open doors or windows, but they cannot breed inside and will die quickly. Their loud mating calls can be a nuisance, but sealing windows and using earplugs can mitigate this disturbance for sleep.

What about other pests associated with cicadas? The presence of cicadas can attract predators, such as the cicada killer wasp (a large, solitary wasp that hunts cicadas to provision its nest). These wasps are generally non-aggressive towards humans. The males may exhibit territorial dive-bombing behavior but cannot sting, and females sting only if severely provoked. The main concern for homeowners is the appearance of small burrow holes in sunny, sandy soil areas where the wasps nest. This damage to turfgrass is typically superficial and does not harm the soil's health.

In summary, the key to managing cicadas around your property in 2026 is focused protection. The most effective action is to shield young trees and sensitive shrubs with netting or mesh. While the insects are loud and their lifecycle can impact small branches, they do not cause lasting harm to established landscapes or your home itself. Monitoring local extension service forecasts for specific brood activity in your area will provide the most accurate guidance for the coming season.