After a long 17-year wait, the Kansas City area is bracing for a natural spectacle as numerous as it is noisy: the emergence of the 17-year cicadas. For homeowners, particularly those passionate about their gardens and outdoor spaces, understanding what this means for your lawn and landscaping is crucial. Fortunately, SK Lawn and Landscape is here to help navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these unique insects.
What Are the 17-Year Cicadas?
The 17-year cicadas, also known scientifically as Magicicada, are a species of periodical cicadas that spend most of their life underground. In the 17th year, they emerge en masse in late spring, transforming quiet neighborhoods into buzzing ecosystems. Unlike the annual cicadas that appear every summer, these come out in significantly larger numbers and are known for their distinct, loud mating calls that can fill the air from morning until night.
Why Do They Emerge Every 17 Years?
The life cycle of the 17-year cicada is one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena. These insects spend 17 years as nymphs underground, feeding on sap from tree roots. This long developmental phase is thought to help them avoid synchronization with the life cycles of potential predators, a clever natural strategy to ensure the survival of the species. When soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees Fahrenheit, they emerge synchronously in overwhelming numbers, which further helps overwhelm any remaining predators and maximizes the chances of successful reproduction.
Impact on Your Lawn and Landscaping
When cicadas emerge, they can have both positive and negative effects on your garden and outdoor spaces:
- Aeration: The digging required for cicadas to emerge can naturally aerate the soil, which is beneficial for your lawn.
- Tree Stress: Adult cicadas lay eggs in small twigs, which can stress younger or smaller trees due to the minor damage caused.
- Noise and Debris: The sheer volume of cicadas can be overwhelming, and after they die off, their bodies can accumulate, requiring clean-up.
Despite these impacts, the arrival of the cicadas is generally not disastrous for healthy, mature landscapes. Most established trees and plants will suffer minor damage.
How SK Lawn and Landscape Can Help
At SK Lawn and Landscape, we are well-prepared to help homeowners in the Kansas City area manage the impact of the 17-year cicadas. Here are some ways we can assist:
- Regular Maintenance: Continue regular lawn care practices such as mowing and watering. The aeration effect from cicada holes can actually improve water and nutrient penetration.
- Patience: Any damage to grass is typically temporary. Lawns usually recover quickly, especially with good maintenance.
- Lawn and Plant Health Assessments: Our experts can evaluate the health of your lawn and plants after the cicadas have emerged and provide tailored treatments to ensure they remain vigorous and healthy.
- Advice and Consultation: If you have concerns about specific aspects of your lawn or garden, our professionals are here to offer advice and practical solutions tailored to your unique landscape.
While the emergence of the 17-year cicadas can be a nuisance, it’s also a remarkable natural event that offers an opportunity to see and support local biodiversity. With the right preparation and professional guidance from SK Lawn and Landscape, your green spaces can not only survive but thrive during this period. If you’re in the Kansas City area and looking for support in preparing for or managing the effects of the cicada emergence, call us at (816) 372-4965 or complete the contact form below.
Click the links below for more lawn care and landscaping services we offer:
Home
Lawn Care
Landscape Maintenance
Landscaping
Outdoor Fire Pits/Fireplaces
Retaining Walls Patio Pavers
Contact Us
