It has been 17 years since Pennsylvania has heard the loud scratch of cicadas, and soon enough in most counties across the state, they will be heard again.
With the Brood X Cicadas beginning their emergence, PA Administrators are warning residents to avoid using insecticides to fight off the noise making creatures.
State officials ensure that while they are loud and large, Cicadas are not harmful and won't be around long.
"The risk of harming beneficial pollinators or other bugs, or pets or other wildlife that may eat cicadas, to wipe out a temporary annoyance is not worth it," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "Save the insecticides for the truly bad bugs, try to enjoy the phenomenon and let Brood X brood in PA for a few short-lived weeks."
The bugs that have been underground for 17 years do not bite or carry any sort of disease, and with their short lifespan its not worth threatening the health of others.
The risks outweigh the benefits in this situation, with chemicals can harms pets or other wildlife that may eat cicadas.
"Periodical cicadas are a natural and vital component of our forest ecosystem," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "Pennsylvania forests seem to take the impacts of cicadas in stride, having evolved with them for millennia, and the insects are an important food source for forest dwellers like birds and mammals."
