How much longer will we have to listen to “the song of
the cicadas?” According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service, the periodical cicadas begin to emerge when the ground temperature
reaches 64°, usually in late April or early May. It takes about 3 weeks for all
of them to come out. They will stay active thru June. Good news,
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| Cicada molting at Doctors Park in Calvert City, KY Photo by Holly Walker |
While cicadas are not harmful to humans, livestock or pets,
they can damage young trees and woody landscape plants. The UK Cooperative Extension
Service advises against planting new orchards and landscape plants until after
the periodical cicada activity as ended for the season. Young trees should be
protected with netting or cheesecloth which can be removed after the activity
has stopped.
More information is available on the UK CooperativeExtension website. Publication
ENTFACT-446, Periodical Cicadas in Kentucky can be picked up at the McCracken
County Cooperative Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road in Paducah.
