Cicadas are in the Ozarks, but not for long

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – 2024 has been dubbed the year of the cicada, and for good reason. Millions upon millions of noisy bugs will be emerging from the ground. While parts of the U.S. will see a rare double-brood emerging, the Ozarks will only experience Brood 19 .

There will be an army of cicadas, but Missouri Department of Conservation’s Francis Skalicky says they are harmless.

“Anytime something like this happens, there is a worry factor involved. This is not something to worry about. They don’t sting, they don’t bite, and they do minimal damage to trees,” explains Skalicky.

The nuisance factor won’t last long, as the 13-year cicada invasion will be short-lived across the Ozarks.

“Few weeks. Probably be early June. They come out, mate, lay their eggs, the adults die and the young go back into the ground,” explains Skalicky.

Every 13 years, brood 19 arise from the ground searching for a mate. When the time comes to lay their eggs, they are drawn to trees and shrubs with small limbs or branches. The small limbs make it easier for the cicadas to cut small slits in to lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs fall to the ground where they will bury themselves for the next 13 years.

“Anytime something like this happens, there is a worry factor involved,” explains Skalicky, “This is not something to worry about. They don’t sting, they don’t bite and they do minimal damage to trees.”

With the threat level low, the issue will be the sheer number and noise of the tiny invaders. Once Brood 19 retreats, southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas will be left with the normal summer cicadas we experience each year.

“This is just an event to marvel at and say, ‘Wow! Isn’t nature cool,” laughs Skalicky.

If the cicada takeover is bugging you, Skalicky suggests sweeping them away or hosing them off furniture or trees. He says whatever you do in your backyard will not matter in the long term.

“Brood 19 next generation is secure. Whatever you do in your little spot, it’ll still happen 13 years from now,” said Skalicky.

Summer 2037 will be another noisy one for the Ozarks.

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