We have another work anniversary today. Bob has been with us for two years today, and has become an important part of our team. If you are in the Toano area, you might see him on your route. We are so grateful that he choose Mark's Pest Control two years ago! Congratulations Bob! ... See MoreSee Less

On July 8th, Jill Cox, our business manager has been with us for 20 years! When she started in 2004, there were only 2 other employees and the office was in a garage. Today, we have 12 employees and a beautiful office on Richmond Road. ... See MoreSee Less

Cicadas emerge again, make their presence known
By Diane Sofranec
Published in the Pest Management Professional Magazine

May 23, 2024

Cicadas are back in the news. This time, it’s Brood XIX, which has a 13-year life cycle, and Brood XIII, which has a 17-year life cycle.

That’s right, these two broods are simultaneously making their way out of the ground, an event that last occurred in 1803. Although the cicadas will be prevalent in several Midwest and Southeast states, Illinois may be the only state where the two broods will emerge at the same time and place, USA Today reports.

Expect to find Brood XIX cicadas in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Expect to see Brood XIII cicadas in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. They likely will make their presence known from May through June.

These broods are periodical cicadas, meaning they have 13- or 17-year life cycles. Periodical cicadas undergo five juvenile stages while underground, and feed on fluids from roots. Their bodies are green and brown, or green and black, and they are about 0.75 to 1.5 inches long. They differ from annual cicadas, which occur every year. Annual cicadas have black bodies, red eyes and wings with orange veins. At approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches long, they are slightly larger.

Cicadas are not pests, however customers may contact you thinking pest management professionals (PMPs) can help remove them from structures, should they find their way indoors. Media reports say people in their path will experience an “invasion” a “cicadapocalypse” and “billions” and “trillions” of cicadas this spring.

While it’s difficult to predict the number of cicadas that will actually emerge, there’s no doubt you will hear them when they do. Adult male cicadas produce species-specific “songs” and form “choruses” to attract female cicadas. Male cicadas alternate “singing” with short flights until they find their female cicada mates. The sound they make are almost always species-specific, so cicada species can be identified by their sound.

Facts for Customers:

Are not poisonous or venomous
Do not transmit disease
Do not sting or bite
Typically fly away when approached
Emerge from underground when the soil temperature rises to about 64 degrees Fahrenheit
Shed their shells and develop wings
When newly hatched, will burrow about two feet underground and remain there for the next 17 years if it is Brood XIII or 13 years if it is Brood XIX
Some South Carolina residents called police when they experienced the sounds cicadas make, AccuWeather reported. The noise complaints were taken in stride, as callers were advised they were simply hearing “the sounds of nature.”

Sources: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, The Nature Conservancy

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Crawling The Web, Featured
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Cicadas ... See MoreSee Less

This couple lived in our beautiful gray house turned office in 1910. Estelle’s maiden name is MARKS! Seems like we were the perfect fit more than one hundred years later! ... See MoreSee Less

We are so excited to welcome Lisa to our office as scheduling coordinator today. She will start training to take over this position when Balerie retires in June. Welcome to our team Lisa! ... See MoreSee Less