Midwest Mary

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By

Mary K. Doyle

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The Cicada Buzz

Sit out on my patio, and you’ll hear birds chirping. Drive a couple of miles, and the cicada buzz roars even with car windows closed and the radio booming out the tunes.

The Chicago area was prepared for the Brood XIII cicada invasion, but we are surprised at how and where that invasion is occurring. Housing in my area is about 20-25 years old, which resulted in tree and soil removal during construction, and therefore, disruption of cicadas. Older areas, especially ones that are wooded, had cicadas waiting in the soil for the last 17 years.

Where we do find cicadas, they are plentiful. These photos were taken in Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois, which is about 40 miles west of the city of Chicago. Walk through the park, and cicadas clumsily fly into you from all directions.

Notice the cicadas in the air in this photo.

They’re also on trees and shrubs.

I love wearing sandals, but this means that crushed and living cicadas are underfoot close to bare feet. In addition, the creatures fly into your face and body. The experience is a mix of humor and annoyance.

Some of the children are creeped out by the harmless insects. Others think they are adorable and want to keep them as pets.

Adults have similar feelings. Those such as my sister who live in areas swarmed by cicadas, are not happy with their inability to sit out on their decks and enjoy the lovely 70-degree temperatures we had the last few weeks. It’s too loud and disturbing to garden, relax, talk, or eat outside.

Fortunately, the cicadas will only be around for a few more weeks. In the meantime, they’ll be buzzing around, mating, laying eggs in tree branches, and feeding. If you’re interested in the experience, hurry over.

*Photos by Mary K. Doyle

©2024, Mary K. Doyle

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Responses to “The Cicada Buzz”

  1. Kym Gordon Moore

    Girl, I also heard about the alleged “Zombie Cicadas.” They have some serious vocal cords! 😂😲🤣 Loud, loud, loud! 😝

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I can take a pass on the zombies. Ear plugs!

      Reply
      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        LOL 😂😜🤣 Mary, I am so there with you my friend! 😱

        Reply
  2. Looking for the Light

    My grandparents had cicada’s and I loved hearing, watching and was totally inthralled. We didn’t have many this year but I do love the sound, just not amplified. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      We’ll get the quieter brood that comes out every August. That, we can handle. Take care of yourself, my friend.

      Reply
  3. Dorothy’s New Vintage Kitchen

    We don’t have them here, so we’ve escaped the invasion.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Good for you, Dorothy. Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Despain

    Stepping outside and getting hit with a harmony of cicadas is always a shock lol

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      For sure, Despain.

      Reply
  5. Willie Torres Jr.

    I’ve been quite disappointed that here in my part of Illinois, I haven’t seen or even heard them. Usually, we get hit pretty badly, but there’s been nothing this year.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      It sure has been strange when and where they’ve been, Willie. Maybe, you need to take a drive.

      Reply
      1. Willie Torres Jr.

        🤣🤣 I think So 🤣🤣

        Reply
  6. Rosaliene Bacchus

    Thanks for the invite, Mary, but I’d rather wait out another few weeks 😀

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hahaha. Ok, Rosaliene. Come when it’s quieter.

      Reply
      1. Rosaliene Bacchus

        🙂

        Reply
  7. Nancy Homlitas

    There’s no cicadas serenading us in my area of northeast Ohio. They must have peaked when I was a kid. Thanks for the interesting info about them, Mary. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I thought Ohio was in the cicada zone. Glad you are enjoying a quieter spring.

      Reply
      1. Nancy Homlitas

        Maybe they’re late coming out in our area.

        Reply
  8. Monkey’s Tale

    I think I’d be like your sister, but I guess if they’re only every 17 years it’s not too bad. 🙂 Maggie

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Right? We are almost through it all, Maggie. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
  9. Pooja G

    They seem a bit annoying and disruptive even if they aren’t harmful. Glad they will be gone soon, hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy the sun after that.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      In the Chicago area, we say if there is nothing else to talk about, we always have the weather, and the cicadas is like that. We like the changes. Or at least, that’s what we talk about.

      Reply
  10. Drops of Ink

    I’m a bug coward, so I would be screaming for the hills if I even saw one, let alone a swarm. 😩

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      In the areas where they are, they are everywhere and falling all over you. We’d have to shield you!

      Reply
      1. Drops of Ink

        Omg I’m cringing even just thinking about it. You’d find me shaking and traumatized in some corner, rocking back and forth. lol 😂

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Hahaha. The creatures are harmless, just very clumsy. You can tell that flying isn’t their thing, Phoebe. But they don’t bite or cause disease. Do you know that some people eat cicadas and say they taste like shrimp?

          Reply
          1. Drops of Ink

            Eeew 🤢

  11. Michele Lee

    Thank you so much for this share, Mary! I’ve wanted to make my way to where they might be, to hear and witness this year’s (unusual) emergence, but not sure I will make it in time. Maybe your sister and I should swap locations for a few days. 😁

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I’m sure Margaret would be happy to switch with you. But you may not want to switch with her. Right now, her home is busy with adult children and a grandbaby in and out. Fun but busy!

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee

        Sounds sweet and fun! That kind of warmth is much better than the scorching heat. It was 111 degrees yesterday. Best to you her, and you!

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          We’ve had a beautiful spring here, but it’s about to change today with 90s coming in. The good news about Chicagoland is that our weather changes often. If we don’t like it, we only need to wait a few days for something else to come our way.

          Reply
          1. Michele Lee

            haha That’s funny and true! Great attitude, too. I had similar thoughts about Denver – lived there years ago.

  12. nogaoga . wordpress. com

    They are very boring, so we use insecticide inside the house, as they reproduce quickly We call it the cockroach

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Cockroaches are very different from cicadas. Those do carry disease, and as you say, certainly aren’t wanted in the house. Thank you for stopping by. It’s good to see you on Midwest Mary.

      Reply
  13. Edward Ortiz

    I just read in a news article that they are going to be gone in a few more days. Like you said, they are going to be gone soon. At least they didn’t show up in my neighborhood. They drove me nuts a few years ago in Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I’m happy they haven’t been a bother for you, Edward. We will only have they annual ones around August. Those are barely noticeable. Thank you for commenting. Have a wonderful day.

      Reply
  14. Destiny

    gracious of you to extend this invite, Mary….don’t mind if it’s a pass lol…
    all your images are amazing…the green is so bright and joyful somehow (pic 4).
    🤍💫

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Destiny. We have a lot to offer in the Chicago area. Perhaps another time. Thank you for the feedback. You know how important that is for us.

      Reply
      1. Destiny

        a beautiful place…
        …and my pleasure 🤍

        Reply
  15. Dawn Minott

    We don’t have them here. I imagine the annoyance not being able to sit on one’s patio in peace. Another example of nature and human colliding. Thanks for the “invite” Mary 😁 it’s a hard pass to the left, to the left 🤣😂🤣

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hahaha. I understand, Dawn. Maybe another time. Have a perfect day.

      Reply
  16. Maranda

    We had a huge invasion of them a few years back. It is really crazy when there are that many at one time!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Good news is that they come and they go! Thank you for commenting, Maranda. Have a good day.

      Reply
  17. arlene

    You have captured them well Mary.🥰

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Arlene. How are you feeling?

      Reply
      1. arlene

        I am feeling fine, thanks.🥰

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Good to hear, Arlene.

          Reply
  18. mistermaxxx08

    they are colorful and distinctive and ill take your word they are cool. good capture

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Mister Maxx. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Reply
      1. mistermaxxx08

        Always the best to you and your kind soul

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Thank you, dear Mister Maxx 🙂

          Reply
          1. mistermaxxx08

            I feel your warmth

  19. SiriusSea

    Mary ❤ … You are so brave! Am I the only one that wants to scream, “LOCUST” and run in the house!? 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hahaha. Well, locust would be another story. These guys are slow, clumsy, and noisy.

      Reply
      1. SiriusSea

        That was me running (lol)!

        Reply
  20. vermavkv

    Beautiful

    Reply

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