Is Your Dog Eating Cicadas? Here’s What You Should Know
The great cicada awakening of 2024, which we detailed in this blog earlier this year, is now happening in real time as we’re writing the current one you’re reading.
However, if you’re not seeing or hearing this phenomenon ensue quite as our blog predicts, one of these factors may be the reason:
- You’re not often able to spend time out in the cicada’s natural habitat
- You don’t live or work in an area near woods and forests (i.e., you live in the middle of the suburbs or areas like Downtown Birmingham, which has lots of construction and primarily concrete landscaping).
Even though some Alabama natives don’t have to deal with cicada swarms in their neighborhoods, others are experiencing the opposite. If you’re a pet owner, you might find this concerning: what does one do if they discover their dog eating cicadas? As experts in pet-safe pest solutions, we’re glad to offer our insight into this situation; keep reading as we dive deeper into this unique topic.
If You Discover Your Dog Eating Cicadas…
First, if you find your dog eating cicadas, don’t freak out—cicadas are neither venomous nor poisonous; they also don’t bite or sting! They can give your four-legged friends a tummy ache, though.
Secondly, you may want to know why your dog is determined to devour these seasonal flying insects. The reason for that is quite simple if you’re familiar with the cicada life cycle: they’ve been making noises underground for weeks in preparation for their aboveground emergence, and even though you’ve been none the wiser, your dog has probably been hearing them squirming below all this time.
How Do I Prevent My Dog from Eating Cicadas?
Now that you know that eating cicadas can give your dog tummy trouble (as in, they may have prolonged vomiting spells, which can lead to dehydration), you’re probably wondering how to prevent it.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent cicadas on your property, but the good news is, they aren’t like locusts or grasshoppers—they won’t destroy your garden or beautiful green lawn.
The bad news is that the only practical way to prevent cicadas from being a frequent snack for your dog this summer is to monitor your dogs when they’re outside, check for sheds/husks in your yard, and clear them out if you find any. If you happen to catch your dog in the act of cicada hunting, try to steer them to another distraction.
If you’re an exceptionally skilled dog trainer, you may even be able to reinforce these distractions from cicadas and train your dog to leave the little guys alone altogether.
Pet-Friendly Pest Experts You Can Trust
Unlike many other pest control companies, we strive to offer solutions that prioritize the safety and wellness of your entire family—and yes, that includes your pets!
For 40+ years, our team of integrative pest solutions professionals from Vulcan Termite & Pest Control has proudly aided hundreds of families in Birmingham and nearby communities by eradicating invasive insect problems on their property.
Call us today at 205-663-4200 or contact us online to request our services. We’ll gladly perform a FREE evaluation and create and implement an effective strategy using our tried-and-true methods. We’ll have you and your family back to your daily activities safely and comfortably in a pest-free home in no time!
If this is the first time you’ve heard of us, check out our Google Reviews here for the non-incentivized, genuine opinions our real customers share about our exceptional pest control services. We’re also accredited by the Better Business Bureau!
Thanks for reading! Are you curious to keep learning about common critters found in Alabama or how to safely and humanely deal with them when they show up on your property uninvited? Check out more of our blogs for helpful tips, tricks, and educational content!