They're Heeeeeeeeere!

[Skywolf]

Was going to bump my old thread about them up, but then I couldnt use the catchy topic line (since we are talking movies and all, lol)
I live in the western suburbs of Chicago, we are getting the 17 year cicadas back, and they are now coming out, I mean NOW. Just saw a local news report that another suburb, about 2 miles from me, the trees are covered with them emerging now. I know there are a few Chicago people here, so the fun is about to start folks! They dont bite, or sting, or eat up the trees and vegitation, but they are loud as hell, and just, well, big giant bugs everywhere, it gets a bit icky. You do want to take care if you have young trees, cover them with mesh, the newly emerging critters climb them to molt off the skin so they can fly and mate, and it can do some damage.
Have I grossed everyone out yet. lol

Laura

[bentherebefore]

Oh yeah, I live next to Wheaton. I've been hearing stories... but I moved from michigan and have never seen one of these critters before. Any day now I guess...

[Skywolf]

They are saying tomorrow and Tuesday are going be be it, the bif, "Oh Good Gosh!!!!" though it may be delayed a bit from the cooler weather now. Guess not though since they are already coming out. I live In Lyons, which is near La Grange, Which is where no one knows so if I say I live close to Brookfield Park (The Zoo) it kind of gives a direction. Wondering about the animals there too, they like to eat them, big time, and can be a choking hazard for the smaller cannines and cats. Im not kidding here folks, its that many bugs, last time people were shoveling them off their sidewalks. I

[Melissa W]

Hey Laura,

YUK!! I hate bugs but the worst bug ever is the mighty cockroach. They just don't die!!

As a side note my brother-in-law and his wife live in La Grange! It's very pretty there.

Melissa

[willa]

**Ugh!** You have my sympathies! We had them 2 years ago. I live one town south of Princeton, N.J., and the sound ALL SUMMER LONG was deafening. You could drive for miles and not escape it. And driving through old growth treed areas, you had to keep your car windows rolled up, 'cuz sometimes they seemed to fall from the skies. It was the major topic of local conversation, when we could hear each other, that is.

ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh

[nwc]

yeah... you were right laura!

i also just saw this on the net... yahoo.

it's not happening in ohio the article said... where i experienced it last time a few years ago.

but i assume i won't see them like you will since i'm in the city.

[willa]

Oops - my thoughtful husband reminded me that our cicada invasion was in 2004, not 2005 (time flies). Students at Princeton University took great delight in charting the little darlings - check out one student's photos: http://www.princeton.edu/~angarone/cicada/ .

[countchocula]

we have locusts every year, i think they stagger that 17 years.,...so we get em every year anyhow.

and whas with yahoo calling em *shrimp-sized*...what kind of shrimp??!

we have small cocktail shrimp, and BIG frying shrimp. get a saddle and ride one of those bad boys off into the sunset! (hell, saves gas)

I have lots of young tender plants, they will soon experience the glory of pantyhose. (hey, dont laugh! i may have cross-dressing plants, but theyre healthy!)

*look who we've got our Hanes on now* :lol: :lol:

(sitting quietly,stroking my can of raid) :roll: :twisted:

[fut]

Swarms of cicadas emerging in Midwest (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070520/ap_on_re_us/cicada_invasion;_ylt=AtSYWqdVaCdt6dUZnRJEmJHMWM0F)

[Skywolf]

**Ugh!** You have my sympathies! We had them 2 years ago. I live one town south of Princeton, N.J., and the sound ALL SUMMER LONG was deafening. You could drive for miles and not escape it. And driving through old growth treed areas, you had to keep your car windows rolled up, 'cuz sometimes they seemed to fall from the skies. It was the major topic of local conversation, when we could hear each other, that is.

ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh

Oh they are horribly loud. I remember when they were here 17 years ago (yes, Im old) and it was deafining you are so right. I now live next to a river, with a forrest preserve behind me, so I expect its going to be quite interesting.

Count, everyone get them every year, but thats normal, usually in the later hotter summer days, those arent the 17 year ones, this is a whole different ball game! Cross dressing plants. LOL

Melissa, cool you have family here! Its pretty here, depending on the area, but I guess that can be said of any urban area.

[Skywolf]

After doing far more reading about cicadas then anyone should, I read its not them climbing up the trees to molt that can do damage, but when the female lays its eggs in the branches.

[nwc]

i can tell you one thing not to do that is a waste of time i did a few years ago that people said to do.... don't wrapped foil or whatever around the tree to help prevent them from climbing over to get to the top... they can fly and land on it. it doesn't really help. these are full grown trees mind you.
it didn't help my english maple tree that was already in bad shape.

time will tell for miracles.... but so far think we lost at least 3 trees from the cicadas... 2 being about 48 years old and was indeed in good shape before....

the other maple is about 16 years old.

had tree cutters take all the dead stuff off a few months after the cicadas freaked them up.... can't believe it all they had to take off. it's like nearly just trees with a few branches on 2.
they said they need to be taken down... but i won't until i'm sure they passed over.

[nwc]

on the news last night they said today is the big day.... still haven't heard one cicada yet!

how's it going over there laura?

[Skywolf]

Saw one today on the side of my building, so they are most definatly here. No noise yet, but if they are just coming out today it will be a day or a so before the good noise starts. I never really thought about what a wooded area I live in, with the zoo preserves, the river behind me, more woods just a half mile away, Im going to be covered in bugs!!! They mentioned the areas that are going to be harder hit and my town is one. I Just keep repeating to my self "It a wonder of nature (and it really is, quite fascinating actually)) Its only every 17 years, I will get used to picking bugs out off me. and to the noise" The noise is quite cool and impressive for about a week till you just want to yell out your window "SHUT UP ALREADY!!!!!!"
It really is quite an awsome spectacle of nature, though.

laura

[nwc]

i love it now.... i came to appreciate them finaly a few years ago. didn't like that a few got in the house thru the chimmney though, lol.

since i live in the city... few to be here... but there's a lot of cemetaries around ... oh they dig there don't they...lol....but it's old land....and there's a lot of small parks around.

you'll also notice a squiell increase too this year because of the abundance of food.

[nwc]

oh

thought i'd mention something really gross.

in cincinnati... a popular pizza chain... they actualy sold pizza with cicadas as a topping!

this was in 1987.... i hadn't heard anything if they did it again a few years ago.... but still to this day i never have ordered a pizza from there again since they did that. i am still phobic if they never cleaned the pans just right or what if a part of a cicada gets in my pizza still.... what if they kept some in the freezer to use later.... lol.

unreal people will eat these things. i mean i can see other animals doing it... but humans? i would never even kiss someone if i knew they ate one before!

[Skywolf]

I have read they taste like apsaragus, and are supposed to be good sauteed with butter and garlic though I for one will never find out. I love to try exotic foods, but gosh, thats just a little much. That would take a whole lot of beer and shooters on the side to even try. Not that everyhing we eat is really appatizing on the outside (look at at lobster and crab) But still, ewww. Who knows though, I may try them, (with the above mentioned drinks) :lol:

Laura

[nwc]

oh gross... you just had to give the details didn't you!!!! :lol: i knew i was just asking for it when i mentioned it, lol.

i'm eating!!!!!! i can't finish my plate... should of waited to read. i'm eating cincinnati chili... their chili with spaghetti, beans, cheese and onions.... everything in this mix i am imagining might or could look like a cicada part. lol.

you don't need an excuse to drink a beer and do shooters! just do it anyways! save a bug. :)

[nwc]

lol... even if they discover ciadas are the cure for roscaea.... i'd still have it i think.

[Skywolf]

About the accepting them,
Its helps also the City is on full on cicada mania mode! Its on the news almost a top story now, , there are cicada parties, nature talks, walks, little kids are loving it (well most of them) I like that, that its teaching people about the OK, maybe not the cutest critters in the world, but still an important part of nature.
I have noticed the songs of the Robins are different in the morning (I wake up very early) Its gone from their normal wake up call to almost a frenzy, like kids waking up Christmas morning, lol.

Laura

[willa]

lol... even if they discover ciadas are the cure for roscaea.... i'd still have it i think.

Ditto that. :shock:

[Skywolf]

insects are not considered the eeeeek level of food some have, they are common is some cultures and not considered gross. (nwc, put back down your bowl of chile and step away, lol) Not saying I want to go pick a cicada off a tree and chow down, but who know how they taste unless you try? (Not picked off a tree raw, yuck, prepared in some way) Who was the first guy that looked at a lobster and thought "Holy $hit, thats one big bug! ( I know they are not bugs, but the are just as ugly) Agggggg! It must have fallen in the water, hmmm, dinner?
Just saying don't be freaked out by people eating them.

Laura

[nwc]

thanks for the warning! :) ... drinking a beer and nothing can turn that disgusting unless a bug lands in it!

but to each their own...

i am not nor ever will be a bug fan! i like only a few kind of bugs...that's it. i appreciate them for what it's worth...

but people eating 'em... makes me quiver. i mean it is just flat out disgusting. i think. i can see why i didn't choose to incarnate into cultures that do eat 'em!

yeah... all sea food is weird looking.... i can't eat that either except on a very rare ocassion...

ok... i must stop talking or else i'm going to be a vegan starting now and i can't afford it at the moment... too expensive.

[Skywolf]

Oh I dont think I will be out there cicada hunting. your supposed to get them after they emerge and molt, right after, and well, I not going out there in the woods to well just EEEEEEKKK!
Anyway, enough of eating them!
Its dusK now, and no noise, kind of like the quiet before the storm. I know they are out there, and getting ready to annoy all humans.

Laura

[nwc]

oh i don't believe you!

i bet you'll be making a cicada milk shake tomarrow. :lol:

[nwc]

hey laura

don't forget to pick up the hollandaise sauce!

ahahahaha!

[Skywolf]

Whha! Just got woke up and had to report. 3 of them just landed on my screen, which is about a foot from my head, woke me and both the cats. they now are starring out the window with blood lust, I want to forget ever mentionig eating them with their red eyes looking at me through the screen as I pryed the cats off it.

Freaked out and tired Laura

[Skywolf]

Back to bed. Both my cats are looking evil at me for not letting them out, and they are not outdoor cats.

[milton]

I haven't seen a single one. I live in the city though, but near a park and on a parkway. I grew up in a western suburb, where are you at Sky?

[Skywolf]

Hey Milton,
Im in Lyons, Its about 2 miles from the Zoo, It borders on Riverside, Brookfield, thats where the all the woods are, and here, I havent seen more here in my house area, except for the ones that flew into my window and the one on my building. But I had to take a walk to the bank, didnt see any, then got to one tree, there were HUNDREDS of them under it, on the grass, the tree, sidewalk. I was with a friend who never seen them before and thought I was exagarating a bit about them. I told him, this is just ONE tree, and look, and wait. He gets it now, and is looking forward to the noise he also didnt believe me they make. I picked one up to show him, see, not scary, just strange looking (I can relate to that) and he is now not afraid. I have become cidada central for my building, its funny.

Laura

[milton]

I know the area well. I grew up in Oak Park. I was in my teens 17 years ago and remember the bugs were terrible.

On a positive note, my beagle loves cicadas. I don't know how she feels about the 17 year kind but she loves eating the ones that are up year after year. Unfortunately, she is dying of cancer, however, i just want her to be able to enjoy all the bugs. I hope she makes it another week or so

[Skywolf]

Aw Milton Im so sorry, I love Beagles, they look like puppies their whole life. What is the girls name, we will all say a prayer for her (in our own ways) I hope she gets to gobble up some of the bugs. You could drive her to an area where they are out, if you dont get many, to give her a feast. Even if at that time she is too sick to eat, she would probably enjoy the adventure.

Laura

[nwc]

sorry to hear!

sending loving energy to your friend.

[DukeCity]

Milton, I lived at 817 N. Taylor st. & 938 N. Austin Blvd. many many moons ago... before it all went downhill.

[Melissa W]

Hi Milton,

I'm so sorry about your beagle. I will think good thoughts and hope for a successful cicada hunt for her.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[milton]

Thank you everybody. Her name is Ginger and she is about to turn 13. I got her in a pound when she was just a puppy. I don't know how I am going to get by without her. When I first got Rosacea about a year ago, I stayed in almost every night. I was experiementing with treatments and we all know how that goes. So, in the last year I spent almost all my time with my dog because she wasn't judgemental or caring that I looked bad. She just wanted to eat whatever I was eating. I really hope she makes it to see the cicadas. Sorry for the depressing story.

Duke- I live in the city now but I grew up at Oak Park and Division. Oak park was a very different place when I was younger. It was much more middle class and affordable. Now..not so much

[Skywolf]

Ginger is one of my cats names.
Bright Blessings to Ginger, and may she eat a whole bunch of bugs
:D :D :D I send you and her smiles and hugs (and bugs)


Laura

[patty]

Milton, I'm so sorry about your beagle. When it is her time I hope she goes peacefully.
I had a beagle,and there is nothing cuter or curioser. Their nose rules their brain sometimes, and they just love to hunt! I hope she has a great time with those bugs!! :D

[nwc]

there's still not a sight or a sound of them around here. i've been on 2 walks the past couple days... nadda. a neighbor has 2 small trees netted though.
there isn't much grass around here, but buildings are old.. you'd think something at least.

[Skywolf]

Give it time NWC, all good freaky flying strange loud bugs come to those who wait. :lol: i havent heard them yet either, Im waiting for it, They are here. If your neighbors trees are less that 17 years old, and you are in a city area, with construction done, good chance they are not going to be around you, in force, but you should see some, just give it a few days, you will be posting back "Ahhhh they are everwhere!' And possibly with a good reciipie. lol.

Laura

[nwc]

:)

leaving town tomarrow... may be back in with a roar! lol

[countchocula]

lol--since we're on an insect topic...


http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=23495


:lol:

[phlika29]

lol--since we're on an insect topic...


http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=23495


:lol:

:D :D :D

[nwc]

i still haven't seen or heard one!

but saw one in cincinnati over the past weekend... one of the yearly ones. :)

[Skywolf]

Oh gosh they are EVERYWHERE here! Cant go out of the house without one flying into you, can't walk without accidantly stepping on one, ( its gross but true) I look like rainman now when I walk anywhere, I look down, though I do not mutter "5 minutes to Whopner" and math is lost on me. :D
The seagulls who flockled here for about a 2 weeks now have left, dont know if the rain put them off, they are going to hunt somewhere else, or they are just full

Edited by me for just horrible spelling. Skywolf

[Skywolf]

Milton,
How is the doggie doing, did she get to hunt?

Laura

[Skywolf]

HELLO, CAN ANYONE HEAR ME??? Oh wait, its just outside. Oh dear god they are LOUD now, and flying around everywhere. I did my good deed for the day though, was out walking and one flew onto the sidewalk, seeing all the sguished ones, and yes, having accidentaly stepped on a few, I picked it up and had a little passenger for about 2 blocks to the nearest tree, where I saw another one flying into. Set her (Im guessing it was a female because the male make a really scary BUZZZZZZZ noise when you pick them up)
But they are getting lound and I mean LOUD. I have my AC on, a fan to circulate the air, all I here is this erie alien hiss of the cicadas.

Laura

[nwc]

still not a single one around here! i'm what maybe 10 miles from you? i live in uptown... near wriggleys stadium area.

[Skywolf]

Being in the city then you probaly wont see any, too much construction, not enought old trees. Im right by the zoo (Brookfield zoo for those not in the Chicago area) I live right next to the Des Plains River, and Im surrounded by forrest. The biggest of course being by the zoo, but also about 2 blocks from me there is another preserve, and well, the river and the trees literally almost behind me. Would take me about one minute to walk to the river. My neighbors husband fishes there, and she yells at him off the balcony to come back home now. LOL. Its city yet woods and water. the gulls are having one hell of a good time, and we dont normaly get gulls here. I live right by a very pretty church with the steeple and all that, and giant flock of them, must have been resting up before going back in, flew off, it was like a scene out of "The Birds"
Do a google on Lyons, thats where I am at.

[Skywolf]

They are also extremly clutzy flyers, so they dont travel too far from where they come out of the ground at, though they do try, bless their weird looking little red bug eyed shut up already hearts.
I went into Brookfield, not the zoo, just the city, it is DEAFINING. You cant hear the person next to you talking.

[nwc]

yeah... i'm just surprised with all the parks around here. i guess they aren't over 17 years.

chicago has a lot of small parks!

[Skywolf]

Im not familiar with the Wrigly area, but Im am guessing things have been dug up in the last 17 years. New parks, schools, houses, etc.
LOL, I owe Melissa a big box of cicadas for her cats, more than happy to send one out to you to. :lol:

Laura

[Melissa W]

Billy and Oreo are patiently waiting Auntie Laura :lol:

[DukeCity]

FINALLY saw 3 cicadas this afternoon in Glen Ellyn, it's about time... they're very cute and cuddly, one flew into the back of my head with a thump.

[Skywolf]

FINALLY saw 3 cicadas this afternoon in Glen Ellyn, it's about time... they're very cute and cuddly, one flew into the back of my head with a thump.
Come on down to the Brookfield/Lyons/LaGrange park area! It sounds like an alien invasion combined with a Hitchcock movie, gulls and bugs are everywhere! It sounds so alien, I swear Im going to open the door and a "War of the Worlds" spaceship is going to be at my door waiting to zap me!
I still think they are cute though I think you were making fun there Duke, and I do help them out if they land on the sidewalk, I will put them up onto a tree. Its carnage out there, and there are enough squshed and dead ones out there (its like a civil war battle scene here)
The noise is something else, I dont remember it being this loud 17 years ago. but I didn't live in a forrest preserve district and I , well lets just say I was partaking in other activities, (read that as weed) I was more concerened with where the next bag of Cheetoes was coming from than the cicadas.
OH, flying into you Duke, you cant walk anywhere here now without that happening. And they are like small missiles hitting you. One landed on my neck earlier today, EEEEEEKKKKKK. Im not scared of them but that was just not cool cicada.

Laura

[nwc]

i saw and heard them today near the o'hare airport!