As summer 2025 approaches, it seems like everyone is anticipating where the periodic cicada brood will be this year, and how they'll affect everyday life. After last year’s rare double-brood event, this summer is expected to bring a more typical cycle. Before you celebrate, realize that typical for cicadas still means millions of insects buzzing across backyards, especially in places like Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
Whether you're planning outdoor parties, gardening, or just enjoying your porch, it helps to know what’s coming. Here’s what people can expect from the brood of cicadas this year and how to prepare.
Brood XIV Is Coming Back After 17 Years
Brood XIV, also called the “Great Eastern Brood,” follows a 17-year cycle. That means most of the U.S. hasn’t seen these particular cicadas since 2008. “The 2025 cicada outlook is back to a regular, single brood emergence cycle," shares Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist at Mosquito Squad Plus. "Brood XIV, also known as the ‘Great Eastern Brood,’ is a group of cicadas with a 17-year emergence cycle. While it’s impossible to predict precisely where and how heavily this brood will emerge, data from previous mass emergences shows that Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania can expect to see the noisy insects later this spring.”
So, if you live in one of these areas, expect the buzz to pick up as temperatures rise—especially if your neighborhood has a lot of mature tree branches. Why? Because that's where cicadas tend to lay their eggs.
Where You’ll See (and Hear) the Most Activity
Not every state will be affected the same way; however, there are a few places where these insects are expected to be loud and noticeable. Based on past patterns, here’s where Brood XIV will likely show up in the largest concentrations:
- Tennessee – especially areas with dense tree cover, woody plants, and rich soil
- Pennsylvania – including rural zones and wooded suburbs
- Kentucky – central and eastern regions are likely hotspots
- West Virginia – mountainous and forested areas
It always seems like the emergence of cicadas occurs overnight. The buzzing can last for weeks, especially in early summer. If you remember last year’s cicada-geddon, this one won’t be as intense, but it’ll still be noticeable. “Last year’s joint emergence, known locally as either ‘cicada-geddon’ or the ‘cicadapocalypse,’ was the result of two broods of periodical cicadas emerging in the same year and in overlapping territories," reminded Crumbley. "For the state of Illinois, 2024’s cicada emergence meant cicadas (and chirping) for weeks. As periodical cicadas emerge either every seven or thirteen years, it’s mathematically unlikely for an overlap in broods… but not impossible! Love it or hate it, though, last year’s double brood event will be the last one for a while… at least until 2037.”
How This Affects Your Outdoor Lifestyle
If you’re planning a backyard wedding, family barbecue, or just want quiet evenings outside, this year's cicada brood may throw a wrench into your plans. While they don’t bite or sting, they are loud, and they can show up in large numbers. You might see them flying into windows or crawling across sidewalks.
Here’s what you might notice:
- Loud chirping, especially during the warmest part of the day
- Cicadas clinging to trees, decks, and garden furniture
- Empty shells left behind as they molt
- Birds and other wildlife eating them—sometimes leaving a mess behind
To reduce the annoyance, keep screens on windows closed tight, avoid outdoor lighting at night, and, well, hang out indoors more when they're most active.
FAQ
How long will cicadas stick around in 2025?
Most annual cicadas only stay a short time above ground — about 4 to 6 weeks. They usually show up in late spring as the soil temperature warms up, and due to their life cycle, are gone by mid-summer.
Are cicadas harmful to pets or plants?
Cicadas aren’t poisonous and won’t hurt your pets if eaten in small amounts. They don’t eat garden plants; however, they could cause minor damage to young trees when laying eggs.
