Why Michigan Isn’t Getting Swarmed by Cicadas This Summer

If you’ve opened TikTok lately or have friends who live in the south, chances are you’ve seen the cicada chaos going on. Swarms of the loud, buzzing bugs have invaded backyards, parks, and even roller coasters.

Kings Island, the massive theme park just outside Cincinnati, recently asked thrill-seekers to keep their mouths closed on rides unless they want a crunchy surprise.

Meanwhile in Michigan? Crickets. Or rather, birds and sunshine. Our local amusement park (which is a sister park to the one in Ohio ) Michigan’s Adventure, is rolling right along without any cicada interference. So what gives?

The short answer: It’s not our year.

This summer, Brood XIX and Brood XIII cicadas (two massive groups of periodical cicadas) are emerging across a dozen states south of us. These bugs only show up once every 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood, and their territory mostly skips over Michigan.

Some cicadas from these broods may have made a cameo near the southern Michigan border, but the state’s seeing nothing like the full-on swarms hitting the south like a freight train.

Here in Michigan, we’re more familiar with Brood X, known as “The Great Eastern Brood,” which last emerged in 2021 in the southern half of the state. We also host annual cicadas, that buzz their way into our summer days a little later in the season.

So while other states brace for bug invasions and roller coaster snacks, Michigan gets a break this year.

Up Next: 5 Michigan Pests, and ways to get rid of them ⬇️

But don’t get too comfortable, our turn will come again, just like it always does. So for now, enjoy your outdoor adventures, cicada-free.