KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN BLOG - WHERE ARE THE CICADAS IN CHICAGO?
WHERE ARE ALL THOSE 17-YEAR CICADAS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO? KATHY'S CICADA RANT! 
I have yet to see a single cicada in Chicago, despite all the media hype that they are EVERYWHERE! I've heard a lot of reports of sightings all over the Chicago land area. But nary a one in my far northwest Chicago neighborhood (Bryn Mawr and Milwaukee Avenues).
A few Friends of mine have said they haves swarms of these unusual bugs in their own backyards. These insects appear only once in 17 years, lay their eggs, and return again in another 17 years.. I guess I should be glad, but since they are inevitable I would rather get it over with. I was in the same house 17 years ago. I don't remember much of a problem back then.
Also, what is this fascination with eating them? Every time I look at a newspaper there is either a picture of someone chewing on one or some wonderful recipe using these hideous bugs.
Just a short note on protecting your vegetable plants. I never had much of a problem with rabbits in the garden. We always had a dog before last season. I had hardly any cucumbers and the tomatoes were not the crop I have had in previous years. This year we have enclosed all of our plants with chicken wire cages. Hopefully, this will take care of the problem. I'll let you know how it works out. I have heard from others that this is pretty effective.
HAVE YOU SEEN ANY 17-YEAR CICADAS IN CHICAGO OR THE SUBURBS? Please let me know! Feel free to Wittie as well with your own tips for home & garden - I would love to share them with with world, on the web!
DEAN'S TEAM HOME & GARDEN EDITOR,
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH
