A quick bout of warm weather in the Triangle this week is leaving many of us longing for summer’s hot days and the long stretches of daily sunshine that Carolina skies seem to be so good at offering.
But are we ready for the cicadas? Not to freak you out, but two broods of cicadas will be emerging this year, and the total number joining us across the 16-state emergence area will be in the trillions .
Not freaking out, right? Good, because there’s no need to worry about them, said Kelly Oten , NC State Extension entomologist and specialist in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.
“They’re going to be very loud! Just keep in mind, they’re harmless, and it’s temporary ,” she said.
“They will sing their loud songs, then soon disappear for another 13 years.”
Here’s what to know about this summer’s cicada emergence, along with some cicada FAQs.
When will cicadas emerge in 2024?
Sometime around May, but it all depends on the weather . Cooler weather leads to a later emergence, and warmer weather pushes it up earlier, Oten said.