The emergence of Brood XIV cicadas is sweeping across parts of the eastern United States, bringing with it more than just the familiar deafening hum. In addition to the noise, the insects are disrupting daily life — from theme park visits to traffic safety.
The 17-year brood, which surfaces in cycles, is most heavily concentrated this year in Kentucky and Tennessee. However, its reach extends into Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
In Ohio, the influx has been particularly noticeable at Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati, where visitors have shared videos of cicadas overtaking trees and carpeting pathways. One viral TikTok video, posted by Summer Balser, shows her family carefully stepping around the insects while navigating the park.
Dr. Gene Kritsky of Mount St. Joseph University told WCPO Cincinnati that the emergence, while overwhelming, is a rare natural event that cannot be prevented. “When you’re on the ride, keep your mouth closed,” he advised, underscoring the sheer density of cicadas in the air.
The nuisance turned dangerous in Blue Ash, Ohio, when a driver lost control of their vehicle after a cicada flew through an open window. The startled motorist veered off the road, causing the car to flip. According to police, the driver escaped without injury. A social media post from the Blue Ash Police Department showed the overturned vehicle and warned residents to keep their windows up, humorously noting that the “insect assailant fled the scene.”
Despite the disruption, experts emphasize that cicadas pose no direct harm to humans. However, their presence can stress vegetation. The University of Connecticut warns that large concentrations of cicadas can damage young trees and shrubs by laying eggs in branches, potentially splitting them. Orchard and nursery owners are advised against planting new trees in the years leading up to an expected emergence.
To protect existing young trees, physical barriers such as mesh screens are recommended. Pesticides, experts say, are ineffective against such vast swarms.
Brood XIV is part of the U.S.’s broader population of periodical cicadas, which includes seven broods emerging every 13 or 17 years. While their arrival may be unsettling, their presence is temporary — and a striking reminder of nature’s rhythms.
