Cicadas in San Antonio: A Symphony of Summer Sounds (and Maybe a Little Annoyance)
Are Those Cicadas I Hear?
So, you're in San Antonio, enjoying the beautiful Texan summer weather. You're sipping sweet tea on your porch, maybe grilling some brisket, and suddenly, you hear it. A cacophony of high-pitched buzzing that sounds like a thousand tiny lawnmowers have descended upon your neighborhood. Fear not, dear reader, you haven't stumbled upon a secret alien invasion. You're simply experiencing the symphony of summer: cicadas.
Cicadas: Nature's Little Drummers
Now, before you grab your fly swatter and declare war on these winged wonders, let's get one thing straight: cicadas are actually pretty cool. They spend most of their lives underground, sucking on tree roots like tiny, subterranean vampires. After years of this subterranean slumber party, they emerge, shed their exoskeletons like teenage boys ditching their braces, and burst onto the scene with a chorus that could rival a rock concert.
It's true, their noise can be a bit much. Some people compare it to a chainsaw, others to a jet engine. But let's be honest, it’s a unique soundtrack to your summer. Plus, they’re harmless. They don't bite, they don't sting, and they're not interested in your food. They're just here to party, mate, and then die. It's a short but eventful life, you've got to give them that.
Cicada Season in San Antonio
Unlike some parts of the country that experience periodic cicada outbreaks (we're looking at you, Brood X), San Antonio deals with the more manageable annual cicadas. These guys show up every year, usually in late summer, and put on a show for a few weeks before fading into the background. So, if you're planning a trip to San Antonio and you're worried about being serenaded by a million tiny violins, don't stress. You're more likely to encounter a mariachi band than a cicada choir.
How to Deal with Cicadas (If You Must)
- Embrace the Noise: Put on some headphones, crank up your favorite tunes, and let the cicadas be the background music to your summer.
- Create a Barrier: If the noise is really driving you crazy, consider investing in some soundproofing for your windows or doors.
- Let Nature Be: Remember, cicadas are a natural part of the ecosystem. They're food for birds, and they help pollinate plants. So, try to appreciate their role in nature.
How To... Cicada Edition
- How to tell if that noise is a cicada: It's a high-pitched, buzzing sound that gets louder in the afternoon.
- How to protect your plants from cicada damage: Cicadas can sometimes damage young trees by laying eggs in the branches. To protect your plants, cover them with netting during cicada season.
- How to avoid getting hit by a falling cicada: Wear a hard hat. Just kidding! But seriously, they can be a little clumsy when they first emerge.
- How to appreciate the beauty of a cicada: Look closely at their intricate wings and unique body shape.
- How to survive a cicada apocalypse: Stock up on earplugs, invest in a good sound system, and learn to love the sound of nature.