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    Guess who’s about to crash our spring party? That’s right – the cicadas! Now, if you’re new to the area or just haven’t experienced a cicada invasion before, let me give you the lowdown.

    According to an article from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we’ll see the Northern Illinois Brood’s emergence in May and June.

    These guys are part of a species called periodical cicadas, and they’ve been chilling underground for quite some time – we’re talking years, not just months. But now, after what seems like forever, they’re gearing up for their grand debut.

    We’re not talking about just a handful of cicadas here – we’re talking millions, maybe even billions of these little guys swarming all over the place.  But here’s the thing – despite their intimidating numbers and all that noise, cicadas are actually pretty chill. They don’t bite, they don’t sting, and they’re just here to do their thing: mate, lay eggs, and start the whole cycle over again. Plus, they’re a crucial part of the ecosystem, providing food for birds, squirrels, and other critters.

    Now, I won’t lie – having so many cicadas around can be a bit… messy. They shed their skins, they leave their empty shells everywhere, and let’s just say they’re not exactly tidy houseguests.

    But here’s a pro tip: if you’ve got young trees or shrubs in your yard, you might want to keep an eye on them. Female cicadas like to lay their eggs in the branches, which can cause some damage. But don’t worry too much – mature trees can handle it like champs.

    The worst part we’ll have to watch out for is their urine. Scientists have found that cicadas have the strongest jet stream of any other insect. Gross!

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