How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes
How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes and Restore Your Lawn
Ah, the unmistakable sound of summer—and the sight of those small, unsightly mounds dotting your perfect green lawn. If you've recently experienced a large emergence, you are likely now facing the aftermath: dozens, perhaps hundreds, of cicada holes, sometimes called "chimneys" or "exit tunnels." You're probably asking yourself: How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes and make my yard look normal again?
The good news is that while the damage might look alarming, it's mostly superficial. Cicadas are noisy, but they are relatively harmless to established lawns and plants. Furthermore, these holes are actually a sign of a healthy ecosystem! However, nobody wants a bumpy lawn. This guide will walk you through the simple, effective steps to patch those tunnels, repair your turf, and get your yard back in top shape.
Understanding Cicada Holes: Why Are They There?
Before jumping into remediation, it helps to know what you are dealing with. Cicada holes are simply exit paths. After spending many years underground (13 or 17 years, depending on the brood), the nymphs tunnel their way to the surface when the soil temperature is just right, usually around 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
These holes are typically about half an inch wide, perfectly round, and often surrounded by a small pile of excavated dirt. Sometimes, the nymphs build little mud "chimneys" above the holes, especially in wet soil, presumably to protect their path from flooding.
Here are a few quick facts about these holes:
- They are not harmful to the deeper roots of established plants.
- They do not indicate a soil infestation; the cicadas have already left.
- The soil around the hole is often compacted and dry.
- The tunnels are temporary and will eventually collapse on their own, but manual patching speeds up recovery.
Immediate Action: Getting Rid of Cicada Holes Efficiently
You don't need expensive equipment or harsh chemicals to address this damage. The most effective ways to repair your lawn involve simple mechanical action and soil replenishment. It is best to wait until the emergence is completely finished before beginning repairs, ensuring all cicadas have vacated their subterranean homes.
Simple Patching Methods for Minor Damage
For lawns with widely scattered cicada holes and minimal dirt mounds, the process is straightforward. We are aiming to collapse the tunnels and level the surface so the grass can grow back evenly.
The easiest method involves simply stepping on the holes or using water pressure to gently collapse them. Here is a step-by-step approach:
- Water the Area Thoroughly: Deep watering softens the soil, making the holes easier to collapse and the surrounding dirt easier to level.
- Flatten the Mounds: Use a flat-backed rake or the back of a shovel to gently sweep and knock down any existing mud chimneys or dirt piles. Spread the dirt evenly across the lawn surface.
- Lightly Roll or Tamp: Walk across the area or use a light lawn roller (if you have one) to collapse the open tunnels and firmly press the displaced dirt back into the ground.
- Rake and Level Again: After collapsing the holes, the surface might be slightly uneven. Give the area a final, gentle rake to ensure a smooth finish.
If you see small bare patches of soil after collapsing the holes, don't worry! This is the perfect time to apply a thin layer of topsoil and grass seed to promote rapid recovery. This approach is central to figuring out How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes effectively.
Dealing with Severe and Widespread Tunneling
In areas where the emergence was extremely dense, the ground might feel spongy or aerated due to the sheer volume of tunnels. Walking on it might feel like walking on a honeycomb. This level of damage requires a slightly more aggressive approach than simple stomping.
For highly aerated sections, consider using a soil amendment mixture. Mix topsoil or compost with a little sand to create a light, easy-to-spread filler. Gently rake this mixture across the affected area. The fine material will naturally filter down into the collapsed tunnels, helping to fill the voids and firm up the soil.
Follow up immediately with deep watering to help the new soil settle into the existing subsurface structure. This not only fills the holes but also enriches the soil, preparing it for new grass growth.
Preventing Future Cicada Damage and Long-Term Recovery
Cicadas are a natural, cyclical phenomenon, and you cannot permanently prevent their emergence. You also shouldn't try to—they are an important food source for birds and mammals! However, you can minimize the visual damage and ensure your lawn recovers quickly.
Lawn Care Tips Post-Emergence
Once you've collapsed the tunnels, focus shifts entirely to grass regeneration. Your lawn might look thin and spotty where the cicada holes were most dense. If you live in an area with cool-season grass, late summer or early fall is the perfect time for overseeding.
If you patched the holes with topsoil, lightly scratch the surface with a rake and spread high-quality grass seed over those bare areas. Cover the seed with a very thin layer of peat moss to help retain moisture, then keep the area consistently moist (but not soggy) for the next two to three weeks until the seedlings establish themselves. This strategic repair work is key to making sure you have successfully addressed the question of How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes aesthetically.
Protecting Young Trees and Shrubs
While the lawn holes are easily fixed, keep in mind that the real structural damage cicadas cause is to young trees. Adult female cicadas lay their eggs in small slits they cut into pencil-thin branches. This can cause branch tips to die back, a phenomenon known as "flagging."
While this isn't directly related to the ground holes, it is important for overall landscape health during an emergence year. Here's what you can do to protect vulnerable saplings (those under two inches in diameter):
- Wrap the trunk and branches tightly in fine mesh netting (such as bird netting) with holes no larger than 1/4 inch.
- Secure the netting at the base and top to prevent cicadas from crawling underneath.
- Avoid planting new trees or shrubs during the year leading up to a predicted emergence.
- Ensure young trees are well-watered and healthy before the emergence begins, as strong plants handle stress better.
Why You Shouldn't Use Chemicals
You might be tempted to apply a heavy insecticide to prevent the emergence holes, but this is highly discouraged. Insecticides are largely ineffective against mature nymphs about to emerge, and they can harm beneficial insects, birds, and pets. Since cicadas are only a temporary presence and the holes are merely cosmetic, physical repair is always the safest and most effective strategy.
Conclusion
Dealing with the aftermath of a massive cicada emergence can feel overwhelming, but restoring your lawn is a relatively simple task. By gently collapsing the tunnels, spreading the existing soil, and applying a little topsoil and seed to bare patches, you can effectively resolve the problem of How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes. Remember, the cicadas are long gone, and their holes are harmless—they just need a little human intervention to level out. Enjoy the quiet until the next brood arrives in over a decade!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do cicada holes harm my grass roots?
- No. Cicada nymphs feed on the xylem (water and nutrient-carrying tissue) of underground tree roots, but the tunneling itself rarely causes significant harm to the root system of established grass or trees. The damage is purely cosmetic.
- Will the cicada holes fill themselves in over time?
- Yes, they will. Through natural processes like rain, settling, and decomposition, the tunnels will eventually collapse and fill in. However, this natural process can take several weeks or months, leaving your lawn bumpy and uneven. Manual patching speeds up the recovery dramatically.
- Can I use my lawn mower over the cicada holes?
- It is best to wait until the holes have been collapsed and the dirt mounds have been swept away. Mowing over mud piles can dull your blades, and the vibration might even cause more surface unevenness. Collapse the tunnels first, then resume mowing once the surface is smooth.
- When is the best time to repair the damage?
- Wait until the entire emergence period has passed (usually 4–6 weeks after the first sightings). Once you are certain no more cicadas are emerging, you can begin the patching and reseeding process.
How To Get Rid Of Cicada Holes
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