(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Periodical cicadas began emerging throughout Chicago's western suburbs over the past week.
"They're all over the place," said Lombard resident Miryam Zuniga. "My son plays soccer, and they are all over the place. You couldn't even play soccer sitting down without seeing the cicadas."
Most cicadas have emerged near large tree trunks, but Glen Ellyn resident Albert Treado told WBBM he's seen them multiply along his front doorway.
"I have a bunch of 'em right now, probably seven or eight of 'em that are just kind of flopping around, getting their new legs," he said. "Yesterday we swept away probably seven or eight shells, and today there's probably 14 of them up there."
The bugs don't bite or sting and are virtually harmless, but they can be annoying.
The sounds of buzzing and chirping are expected to start in the coming weeks.
"They're gonna be so loud," said Wheaton resident Tamrin Navarro. "But I think it gets to a point where you hear it so much you stop noticing it. So I guess we're just waiting for that point."
Grown-ups may be groaning at the large insects, but kids are embracing their arrival.
Navarro, who nannies children in Glen Ellyn, said they're completely captivated.
"They love them," Navarro said. "They caught 28 of them yesterday, and they're in a little container, and they want to pet them. They just think they're amazing, and I think they're gross."
Have questions about the cicada invasion? We have answers. Check out WBBM Newsradio's guide to cicada-geddon here.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok
