The much-anticipated emergence of cicadas has begun in some Chicago suburbs, including Park Ridge. Residents have started noticing the cicadas over the weekend, as they emerge from their underground homes and cover trees and the ground.
Residents’ Reactions
While the cicadas haven’t been too bothersome yet, they have piqued the interest of children in the area. “I’ve been seeing a lot of them on the ground, doing some gardening, seeing them coming up then. And my kids are really enjoying them,” said Park Ridge resident Christina Cosgrove.
Nikki Allen, another Park Ridge resident, shared a similar sentiment. “We are OK with them. We’re animal nerds and everything, and it’s just another activity for the kids to play with. So, they’re catching them and putting them in their little container, and walking around in the backyard and then releasing them again.”
Cicada Facts and Figures
Billions or even trillions of cicadas are expected to emerge, marking a significant natural event. The 17-year cicadas are joining the 13-year cicadas in some areas downstate, leading to a substantial overlap.
Joel Reiser, from Illinois Cicada Watch, explained the conditions for their emergence. “Soil temperatures have to be 64 degrees. So, here in Park Ridge, we’ve had 64 in many areas for the past three or four days. So, as the soil warms and stays consistent, they will keep popping up every day.”
Reiser, who started the Illinois Cicada Watch Facebook group, noted that the emergence is ramping up quickly and will eventually peak. He reassured residents, “People should know they are harmless. It’s all about Mother Nature. They feed animals. They feed birds, also nutrients for the ground. Don’t be alarmed. They don’t bite.”
Enjoying the Experience
Despite the potential for noise, residents haven’t found the cicadas loud yet. Birds have been feasting on them, and some people are even considering trying them as a snack. “Some people were screenshotting the popcorn cicadas, and I think that’s a texture that I can try. If I see it, and, if it was offered, I think I would try it, if there was a good sauce with it,” Allen said.
The cicadas’ life cycle is about four to six weeks, and they are likely to remain visible through June.