Cicada Trap for animal food?

From the articles I'm seeing there are many areas experiencing major Cicada cycles this year. While it looks like we're north of the masses we get plenty in other years as well, surely we'll have enough. I'm interested in trapping them for chicken food but have only found hand collectors online. I do plan to make something for when we come across but if we could attract them to one spot, even better.

I've read they are drawn to loud vibrations and also the color red. Any experience, tips or ideas out there?

We were in Indiana when we saw the phenomenon.

It is quite a sight to see.

I would look in trees for them.

What I saw is that the cicada comes out of the holes looking to mate then climb trees to lay eggs.

I am not sure there is anything that will break this cycle.

Anne Miller wrote:We were in Indiana when we saw the phenomenon.

It is quite a sight to see.

I would look in trees for them.

What I saw is that the cicada comes out of the holes looking to mate then climb trees to lay eggs.

I am not sure there is anything that will break this cycle.

Not exactly but they do like trees! That is definitely where I will hand hunt when out and about.

The ones around here emerge soft, attach themselves to trees to molt, live for a few weeks while reaching maturity and grinding ear drums, then find mates and lay eggs at the base of trees/shrubs before dying off. Not interested in breaking the cycle, just wanting to take advantage of the excess

I'm wondering if a funnel trap painted red near my trees may draw them in.

Melonie,

What I am about to say, I mean as a serious response and not a snarky reply.  Maybe you could get a 5 gallon bucket, find a sapling and simply shake the sapling over the bucket.  17 years ago we were hit with a double swarm and I was astonished at just how many of the little critters crawled seemingly everywhere.

That being said, large trees will have the greatest concentration of bugs simply because the cicadas basically drop their eggs under the tree they climb.  I am expecting my larger trees to be really swarming with bugs this year.

Actually, collecting cicadas for food is a great idea!  If I can think of any other ideas I will try to post them.

Eric

Eric Hanson wrote:Melonie,

What I am about to say, I mean as a serious response and not a snarky reply.  Maybe you could get a 5 gallon bucket, find a sapling and simply shake the sapling over the bucket.  17 years ago we were hit with a double swarm and I was astonished at just how many of the little critters crawled seemingly everywhere.

That being said, large trees will have the greatest concentration of bugs simply because the cicadas basically drop their eggs under the tree they climb.  I am expecting my larger trees to be really swarming with bugs this year.

Actually, collecting cicadas for food is a great idea!  If I can think of any other ideas I will try to post them.

Eric

I would never assume snarky here at permies!

That is an idea with the bucket, theres a couple that may be practical for. I guess I cannot imagine them that thick, it's going to be interesting!

I have lived through many brood visitations.
That are generally numerous enough to be crunchy underfoot.
Sweeping them with a broom and dustpan can be an effective gathering strategy.
I've heard that the eggs are laid in  the branches of trees and the hatching "prunes" young growth.
Thus can be good or bad for the tree.
The larva fall to the ground and burrow in, emergening years later.

I thought I would post a picture of what we saw when we were in Indiana with a picture I found on the internet:



source

The bucket idea reminded me of what I do to Japanese Beetles. They can only be caught predawn when they are sleepy and chilly, that part isn't relevant to you. I get a tarp, put it into position, and sweep or shake them onto it, then dump them into a collection bucket from there. Gives a good wide catch area, and it's easy to upend the tarp into the bucket. That picture in Anne's post above me, I'd tuck the tarp tight against that trunk and sweep downward. Dump them in a bucket (put some sort of top over it!) then spread the tarp out and use a stick or something to hit the branches above. Putting a broom head on a paint roller extension pole if you have one gives you a longer reach.
Good hunting! Hope your critters like them! My chickens snubbed the J Beetles, I do it just to save plants, since I no longer have chickens to try to feed them to.

Pearl Sutton wrote:The bucket idea reminded me of what I do to Japanese Beetles. They can only be caught predawn when they are sleepy and chilly, that part isn't relevant to you. I get a tarp, put it into position, and sweep or shake them onto it, then dump them into a collection bucket from there. Gives a good wide catch area, and it's easy to upend the tarp into the bucket. That picture in Anne's post above me, I'd tuck the tarp tight against that trunk and sweep downward. Dump them in a bucket (put some sort of top over it!) then spread the tarp out and use a stick or something to hit the branches above. Putting a broom head on a paint roller extension pole if you have one gives you a longer reach.
Good hunting! Hope your critters like them! My chickens snubbed the J Beetles, I do it just to save plants, since I no longer have chickens to try to feed them to.

Oh boy, if they are that numerous it won't take much time at all. Not sure if I want to hope for the food or wish away the sound!

Crazy ideas: take a solar oven or solar food dehydrator and attach a vacuum.  Or leave a light on at night with the tarp underneath.