If you’ve noticed a sudden appearance of mysterious holes in your lawn or garden beds as the weather warms up, you aren’t alone. For many, these are the first signs that a brood of cicadas is about to emerge after years underground.
But how can you tell a cicada hole apart from a hole made by a wasp, a crawfish, or a rodent? Here is everything you need to know about identifying cicada emergence holes.
1. The Key Characteristics of a Cicada Hole
Cicada holes have a very specific “signature.” If you are looking at a hole in your yard, check for these three main features:
- Size: Cicada holes are typically half an inch to one inch in diameter—roughly the size of a dime or a person’s index finger.
- Shape: They are almost perfectly round and clean-cut. Unlike holes dug by animals looking for food, cicada holes look like they were bored from the inside out with a drill.
- The Opening: You will rarely see loose soil or a “mound” piled around the entrance (unless it’s a mud turret—see below). The hole usually looks like a neat, open tunnel leading straight down.
2. What are “Cicada Chimneys” or Turrets?
In some cases, especially in moist or clay-heavy soil, cicadas don’t just leave a flat hole. They build mud turrets (also called chimneys).
These look like small, lumpy tubes of mud rising 1 to 3 inches above the ground. Cicadas build these structures if the ground is particularly wet or if they reach the surface before they are fully ready to emerge. They wait inside these “penthouses” until the soil temperature reaches the magic number—64°F (18°C)—before making their final exit.
3. Where Will You Find Them?
You won’t find cicada holes just anywhere. To find them, look in these specific locations:
- Under Large Trees: Cicada nymphs live underground feeding on the sap of tree roots. You will find the highest concentration of holes directly under the canopy of deciduous trees (Oak, Maple, Ash, etc.).
- In Undisturbed Soil: They prefer soil that hasn’t been tilled or heavily compacted by construction.
- Near the Base of Trunks: As they emerge, their goal is to climb upward immediately, so holes are often clustered near the base of a tree.
4. Cicada Holes vs. Other Yard Holes
It’s easy to misidentify holes in the garden. Here is how to tell the difference:
- Wasp/Hornet Holes: These are usually smaller and often have a small “porch” of excavated dirt at the entrance. You will also see insects flying in and out.
- Crawfish Holes: These are much larger and the “chimneys” are made of distinct mud balls. These are usually only found in very swampy areas or near water.
- Vole/Rodent Holes: These are usually 1.5 to 2 inches wide and are often connected by “runways” (paths of dead grass) across the lawn.
- Aeration Holes: If the holes are perfectly spaced in a grid pattern, they were likely made by a mechanical lawn aerator!
5. Are These Holes Bad for Your Lawn?
The short answer is: No.
In fact, cicada holes are actually beneficial for your yard. They act as a natural form of aeration, allowing oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass and trees more easily. Once the cicadas have finished their life cycle, the holes will naturally fill back in with soil and organic matter.
Summary Checklist: Is it a Cicada Hole?
- Is it roughly the size of a dime? (Yes/No)
- Is it perfectly round and clean? (Yes/No)
- Is it located near a tree? (Yes/No)
- Is it appearing in late spring/early summer? (Yes/No)
If you answered “Yes” to all four, you have cicadas! Grab your camera and get ready for one of nature’s loudest and most fascinating spectacles.