## How to Protect Vegetable Garden from Cicadas
### Introduction
Cicadas are large, noisy insects that can be a nuisance to gardeners. They feed on the sap of plants, and their nymphs can damage roots. While cicadas are not typically a major threat to vegetable gardens, they can cause some damage if their populations are large. There are a few things you can do to protect your vegetable garden from cicadas.
### Physical Barriers
One of the most effective ways to keep cicadas out of your vegetable garden is to use physical barriers. These can include:
Row covers: Row covers are made of a lightweight fabric that allows sunlight and water to pass through, but keeps out insects. They can be draped over rows of plants to protect them from cicadas and other pests.
Insect screens: Insect screens can be attached to the sides of raised beds or greenhouses to keep cicadas out. They are made of a fine mesh that allows air to circulate, but keeps out insects.
Sticky traps: Sticky traps can be placed around your garden to catch cicadas. The traps are coated with a sticky substance that attracts cicadas and holds them in place.
### Chemical Controls
There are a few chemical controls that can be used to kill cicadas. These include:
Pyrethrin: Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide that is effective against cicadas. It can be applied to plants as a spray or dust.
Carbaryl: Carbaryl is a synthetic insecticide that is also effective against cicadas. It can be applied to plants as a spray or dust.
Acephate: Acephate is a systemic insecticide that is absorbed by plants and then distributed throughout their tissues. It can be applied to plants as a spray or granules.
### Cultural Practices
There are a few cultural practices that can help to reduce the population of cicadas in your garden. These include:
Keep your garden clean: Cicadas are attracted to dead plant material. By keeping your garden clean, you can reduce the number of cicadas that are attracted to your property.
Avoid planting host plants: Cicadas prefer to feed on certain plants, such as oak, maple, and birch. If you avoid planting these trees in your garden, you can reduce the number of cicadas that are attracted to your property.
Attract natural predators: Cicadas have a number of natural predators, such as birds, wasps, and parasitic flies. By attracting these predators to your garden, you can help to reduce the population of cicadas.
### Conclusion
Cicadas can be a nuisance to gardeners, but there are a few things you can do to protect your vegetable garden from them. By using physical barriers, chemical controls, and cultural practices, you can reduce the population of cicadas in your garden and protect your plants from damage.
### Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips for protecting your vegetable garden from cicadas:
Inspect your plants regularly for cicadas. If you find any cicadas, remove them from your garden by hand.
Water your plants deeply and regularly. This will help to keep your plants healthy and make them less attractive to cicadas.
Fertilize your plants regularly. This will help to keep your plants healthy and make them less likely to be damaged by cicadas.
Be patient. It may take some time to see results, but by following these tips, you can reduce the population of cicadas in your garden and protect your plants from damage.