Locusts

[Andrewmft]

So with the 17year return of the almighty locusts/ secadas, I was just curious what everyone's opinions are in regards to the effect they may have on this upcoming years of outdoor gardening and landscaping.

Feel free to toss in any tips / suggestions, especially since I'll be removing an above ground pool and recreating my backyard. :D

Locusts pending of course

[swindyi]

Here in the NY area we have a critter that returns every 17 years and we had them emerge from the ground about 5 years ago . It was horrible , they were eveywhere , we were sweeping them up and filling 30 gallon trash cans with them . they were in the trees on the ground , in the lawn , thank god they weren't in the house . Where do you live ? I'm asking so that I make sure I don't plan a vacation to your area durning the invasion LOL . Good Luck I don't think there is anything you can do to prevent them from coming out of the ground except for cementing over all your property
swindyi

[Andrewmft]

I live in the Northern Kentucky / Cincy, OH area. So DON'T come here if ya didn't enjoy those lil buggers.

I remember swatting at them with tennis rackets and whiffle ball bats as a kid. The EXCITEMENT :P

Now, I'm viewing them in a totally different, yet still annoying way.
:D

I've found out that they're fond of greeny plants. Any ideas, if it's possible to even grow grass.

[swindyi]

I don't recall any lasting problems with the lawns . The inferstion lasted about a month if I recall correctly. I wasn't into gardening at the time as I was waiting to move into this house . My sister had a home in NJ at the time and they really had a ton of them , they were raking them up a couple of times a day , I guess if you leave them be, they will do damage. staten Island didn't have as bad of an invasion due to the building boom here in the ten years prior to thier emerging time and so much green area was cemented over . They emerge from the ground fly into the trees where they feed and then lay their eggs in the ground and it takes the 17 years for the lavor turn into the insect. ickie ickie ickie
If I was facing it I would garden as usual and just plan on doing a lot of raking up of the things . Good Luck
swindyi

[Newt]

Hi Andrew,
Actually, cicadas aren't locust at all, but a different and separate species. They lay their eggs in twigs of trees and don't bite or sting. Here's a site that explains all about them.

http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fa...cal/Index.html

Hope this helps.
Newt

[Aled Titmarsh]

Luckily we don't get none of them nasty little bugs over here, in the UK. Most people still complain about the tiny greenfly :)