Had just about enough fun.. Measured 82 decibels under my favorite shade tree about noon today. Makes it damn near impossible to take a nap.

I first noticed them around here about 2 weeks ago, I don't think they've hit their peak yet.

According to the chart, this is 80 db: "Garbage disposal, dishwasher, average factory, freight train (at 15 meters). Car wash at 20 ft (89 dB); propeller plane flyover at 1000 ft (88 dB); diesel truck 40 mph at 50 ft (84 dB); diesel train at 45 mph at 100 ft (83 dB). Food blender (88 dB); milling machine (85 dB); garbage disposal (80 dB).

80

2 times as loud as 70 dB. Possible damage in 8 hour exposure."

http://www.industrialnoisecontrol.com/comparative-noise-examples.htm

Years ago Dad and I had a discussion, I wonder what all kinds of animals will eat cicadas? I figure a dozen or 15 would fill up a turkey.

Well our dogs like them. They were picking them off the vegetation and eating them till they puked,then going back for more. So along with the unholy racket I had piles of partially digested bugs littering the yard. Dogs are in the kennel for the duration.

Last night my wife filled up a small grocery sack and we went out to one of the ponds and initiated a feeding frenzy with the bass and bluegill. I would assume that everything that walks, flys, swims or slithers will have there share in the next few days

I hope like hell they have hit the peak for you Tim. You have to be 2 weeks ahead of us

Not sure? I remember we stayed up at the King's place, and the next morning the She asked me if I heard them. My ears are far from the best! But after she told me, I could hear the echo, from back on the mountain. But that was about 2 weeks ago.

Now the other day, Saturday evening, 6/4/16, I rolled down the window, about 8 miles above town, going 50 MPH I could hear the bugs plain as day.

Whip poor wills woke me up Sunday morning. As well as I could tell there were 3, off in the distance at bedtime. And at least 3 nearby, about an hour before daylight. Hard to sleep with one of them 100 feet from your bedroom window.

Have not heard one here yet. Maybe they are all in your shade tree Ric:)

Well, I've asked several of my friends for a locust report, it seems they're just in little pockets, here and there.

From the King's place I can still hear the batch on the left of the ridge. And the cluster that you can hear driving up the road, they're still going. But driving on up the road, another 1/4 mile, you can't hear them. As well as I can tell, it seems that their db level has slacked off a little.

The one boy I asked, (he's out and about more than me) said he was really surprised he didn't hear but just a few on the one hunt club. His brother lives out in Morgantown, WV and told him that you couldn't hardly go outside, they were everywhere.

Think a deer would eat them? That's what Dad and I talked about.

Are these annual cicadas? We had annual cicadas in Bowling Green where I was raised, but they are few and far between down here in the Ohio River valley. Except, every 17 years.

We have some here each year also. But not like the 2 clusters that I've heard, during the last 3 or 4 weeks.

Talked to another guy this morning, he said he'd only heard them in one spot, 8 or so miles east of here. Not sure? Maybe the spraying for "gypsy moths" years ago changed our cicada crop? Maybe the cooler than average spring weather has them running behind? I'm beginning to think our peak crop may be next year. Don't know?

I remember years ago, in some areas, there would be 6 or 8 of their little shell things hanging on just one side of a tree. And splatter up a windshield quick. We don't have them like that now.

Still yet to hear any here.

That sounds like the 17 year variety.

It has to get really hot and humid around here before them 'saw bugs' start singing. I once held a dying cicada in my hand. It's high pitch scream morphed into a low rumble from within it's body. Pretty cool.

Frank.

I believe the 2 bunches that I've been hearing up the Fork are finished now. I couldn't hear them Saturday or yesterday. The one cluster that you could hear from the road, I did notice a good many little twigs up in the timber, in that area that are turning brown. I guess twigs that have been stung, or whatever you'd call it? Not sure what the proper term would be?

Seems like we have a 2nd wave of cicadas in this area. Last Thursday night there was 1 buzzing around on the back porch. There are some or a few in my trees out back now. Don't hear them right now, but it's 60*. Also heard them in several places, the last time I checked my trail camera.

Saw my first one last week.