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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A loud insect in the garden is not necessarily a pest that needs control. Cicadas, katydids, crickets, and grasshoppers can all make noise, but the sound alone does not tell you whether plants are being harmed. Identify what you can, inspect for feeding damage, and consider your region before taking action.
How to tell which noisy insect is in your garden
Use sound as a clue, not a definitive identification. Check when the noise occurs, whether it is a buzz, click, or repeated call, and what the insect looks like. Look for actual damage to leaves, fruit, or young branches before deciding whether to intervene.
| Insect | Sound or timing clues | Visible clues | Plant impact and usual response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicada | Males of many species produce loud buzzes or clicks to attract females. In Minnesota, dogday cicadas make a high-pitched daytime hum described as similar to a power line; that example does not establish timing elsewhere. | Robust body and mostly clear wings. | Generally no garden treatment is needed. Female egg-laying can injure small branches of young trees. |
| Katydid | Calls are often rendered as “Katy did, Katy didn’t.” | Grasshopper-like body with long antennae; nymphs are wingless. | May feed on leaves or fruit. High populations can damage trees, but control is usually unnecessary or ineffective. |
| Cricket | Crickets make sound by stridulation—rubbing body parts together—as do katydids. | The sources cited here do not provide a complete identification key for garden crickets. | Sound alone does not establish that it is damaging plants or which control method would work. Seek local identification if needed. |
| Grasshopper | Sound is not a reliable identification key for all species. | Robust body, enlarged hind legs for jumping, and relatively short antennae; crickets and katydids have long antennae. | Some species and outbreak years can seriously damage plants, particularly young green growth. |
The Michigan State University Extension description of stridulation applies to crickets and katydids; it is not enough by itself to identify a particular species. For exact identification, use a local extension service or a regional insect-identification resource.
What to do about cicadas
Most of the time, wait. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says cicadas are not harmful to people, pets, household gardens, or crops, and that they do not eat leaves, flowers, fruit, or garden produce. Adults are short-lived; the University of California Statewide IPM Program says males live only a few weeks and that members of a species commonly emerge and die over roughly the same period. Periodical cicadas are a distinct case: the EPA says they emerge after 13 or 17 years.
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Protect vulnerable young trees if needed
Female cicadas can lay eggs in small branches, which can injure young trees. The EPA recommends covering young trees with mesh or netting with openings of 1/4 inch or smaller. This is targeted protection for young trees, not a way to silence cicadas or control their population. The EPA says established larger trees cannot be harmed in the same way.
The EPA’s guidance is direct: “No need to spray!” Pesticides generally do not keep cicadas away because more can move in, and spraying can harm beneficial or other non-target organisms and expose people and pets unnecessarily. Regional guidance can add context: UC IPM says California cicadas generally do not warrant control, while University of Minnesota Extension says no control is necessary for the Minnesota cicadas covered by its page. Do not assume their local seasons or species apply where you live.
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What to do about katydids
Check plants for damage before acting. Katydids can feed on leaves or fruit, but UC IPM describes them as normally of little concern. High populations can damage trees; even then, its guidance says control is not usually necessary or effective, and little can be done to protect trees from heavy populations.
Removing visibly damaged fruit or foliage is garden upkeep, not a proven way to reduce a katydid population. If damage is substantial or increasing, seek guidance from a regional extension service that can account for local species and conditions.
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What to do about crickets
Crickets and katydids make noise by rubbing two body parts together, a process called stridulation, according to Michigan State University Extension. That sound-making fact does not establish that a cricket is a garden pest or indicate a universal control method. If you see plant damage, or the sound seems to come from inside a building, identify the insect locally before choosing a response.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do about grasshoppers
Grasshoppers can be difficult garden pests, especially when numbers are high. UC IPM’s detailed recommendations are California-focused, so use local extension guidance for regional conditions and current pesticide rules.
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When numbers are low
Handpicking may work when only a few grasshoppers are present. Physical barriers such as cones, screened boxes, or floating row covers can offer some protection when pest pressure is not high. Hungry grasshoppers may eat through cloth or plastic covers; UC IPM suggests metal window screening in that situation.
A lush, uncut border planting may divert grasshoppers in some gardens, but it is not a universal fix. UC IPM notes that severe outbreaks in its California-focused guidance normally occur only every 8 to 10 years; that interval is not a forecast for other regions.
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When numbers are high
Barriers and hand removal may not be enough once a migration has entered a garden. UC IPM says insecticides are often not very effective at that stage and may require repeated applications according to the product label. Commonly used spray insecticides can be very toxic to bees, natural enemies, and aquatic life, so UC IPM recommends reserving them for serious cases. Small nymphs are easier to control than adults.
Pesticide options and legal restrictions vary by location and can change. Follow current local extension recommendations, applicable rules, and the product label; California-specific restrictions should not be treated as nationwide rules.
Quick Recap
A practical decision path
- No visible plant damage: Observe and try to identify the insect. Noise alone is not a reason to spray.
- Cicadas near a young tree: If egg-laying injury is a concern, use mesh or netting with openings no larger than 1/4 inch, following the EPA’s guidance.
- A few grasshoppers: Consider handpicking or a suitable physical barrier before numbers rise.
- Widespread damage or uncertain identification: Contact a local extension service before using pesticides. Species, timing, and effective options depend on region.
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