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The most effective protection from cicada destruction on the market.

Every 17 years, the cicadas come. There are more than 3,000 species of cicadas, but the ones we’re talking about emerge cyclically. They dig out from their underground pods, molt, grow new wings, mate, then devour greenery and make a racket for four to six weeks, until they lay their eggs and die. Then, the whole process begins again. This year, so-called “straggler” Brood X cicadas—the same ones that swarmed the U.S. in droves in 2021—are once again emerging throughout the eastern United States just as trees, flowers, garden, and lawns are entering a critical stage of growth. While you can't stop the cicadas from swarming, you can protect your greenery with a sturdy cicada net.

How hard could it be to buy netting, you may be asking? Surprisingly, there are a number of things to know when purchasing your netting. These considerations will help guide you toward the right purchase for your needs and space.

You don’t need to worry about everything in your yard being consumed by cicadas. Adults drink sap from plants with woody stems and branches, and they also lay their eggs there. Bushes and young trees are the most vulnerable, so focus on protecting them first. More than 250 species of woody plants are on the cicada hit list, including saplings, ornamental shrubs, blueberry bushes, grapevines, and bramble fruit bushes like blackberries. Oaks, maples, cherries, and redbuds are also at risk.

No one wants to see insects swarming their garden, but cicadas won’t harm garden flowers or vegetables, so focus on other areas. Lawns are okay too. Finally, all of the nets we include are created to ensure that plants get enough ventilation, and that photosynthesis can still occur.

Cicadas love to lay eggs in the slits in branches, so prioritize those areas when you’re putting up the netting.

Trees, bushes and shrubs should be wrapped in netting with holes that are smaller than a half-inch to keep cicadas away. (All of the products we include have small enough holes to keep out cicadas). Bird netting won’t work. Once the netting is in place, tie the bottom tightly to the trunk so the cicadas can’t work their way in. We’ve included netting that comes in large swaths, ideal for larger spaces with a lot of at-risk greenery. Keep in mind that if you buy a large roll of netting, you’ll need to cut it to fit each item, and then secure it with ropes or ties that are sold separately. If you just have a handful or bushes, trees, and shrubs to cover though, buying one or more small net barriers with built-in drawstrings may be more practical.

We combed through hundreds of options for cicada netting, with the goal of finding the most practical and useful products on the market, and also ones that would suit a variety of budgets. We also have options for yards large and small. We include netting that could work for one small bush, as well as netting that would be appropriate for covering a large number of trees, shrubs, and bushes. All of the options we've included come from companies with excellent reputations, and have been highly rated by users.

For more great ways to grow and protect your outdoor space this year, check out our picks for the best plant blankets, raised garden beds, and garden hose reels!

This two-pack of 36-by-54-inch netting is made from high-quality mesh cloth with PE material. The wallet-friendly price and high quality make it a fantastic option for shoppers with small trees, shrubs, or bushes. It comes with a drawstring tie, which eliminates concern about cicadas creeping into the bag from the ground.

Reviewers loved this option for their small fruit trees and bushes, and say that it has a wide range of applications beyond cicada-proofing.

This mesh barrier will keep your trees safe from cicadas. The netting measures 6.9 by 5.9 feet, which is large enough to cover the branches of small-to-medium size trees and bushes. The netting is made of ultra-dense mesh nylon, and comes with a drawstring, ensuring no cicadas can sneak in through the rear door.

While most reviewers were happy with their purchase, one reviewer noted that the drawstring is “fragile.”

Each net in this two-pack measures 3.2 by 4.9 feet, which is ideal for smaller 3- to 4-foot trees. The netting comes with an easy-to-use drawstring so you can tighten the opening at the bottom and ensure the tree is safe. The barrier netting is made from high-quality mesh with sturdy PE material, and is appropriate for indoor and outdoor use.

This netting two-pack provides 47 by 55 inches of coverage from each net, enough for most medium-sized bushes. The fine mesh design and drawstring ensure a snug fit that will keep cicadas away. Reviewers say it also works on smaller fruit trees, and protects from a number of problem garden pests.

The netting is made from durable PE plastic and is best for large yards and spaces; it comes in a 10-by-33-foot bundle, which can be cut to cover small trees and shrubs. It should be noted that it does not come with ties; either buy them separately or make sure you have enough rope at home to properly secure the netting around the bottoms of bushes and gardens.

Cicadas sometimes like to make their way into eaves and other corners of homes and other structures. Barrier netting like this works well as a solution. This netting is made from PE, creating a tough and durable, but also flexible barrier, which helps protect nooks and crannies. The pack contains fine knit mesh netting, about 8 by 24 feet, and can be cut to size. It does not come with ties, so those should be purchased separately.

This ultra fine mesh netting measures 8 by 24 feet, which allows you to cover large spaces, or you can cut it up and cover smaller trees and bushes as needed. The durable material is PE-stabilized and environmentally friendly. Reviewers note that the mesh is finer than a window screen, and may prevent even gnats from getting through. Many reviewers also say it’s sturdy enough to be reused several times.

This netting has tons of enthusiastic reviews on Amazon, with an average customer rating of 4.4 stars. The rollup pack comes in six sizes measuring up to 5 by 131 feet and can be cut up for trees, shrubs, and bushes of all sizes. The fine mesh is made from polyester, which doesn't tear easily.

Some reviewers use one piece to cover their beds and protect themselves from mosquitos inside as well, while others use the large piece to protect the small trees on their balcony. Some even used it as an extra barrier for their hoop houses. It's worth noting that this netting is not sold with ties, which must be used to secure it over trees and bushes.

This fine-mesh HDPE netting is ideal for protecting shrubs from cicadas and other pests. The netting comes with a tie string, and it comes in various sizes depending on your needs. The netting can cover shrubs that are four to eight feet tall, or if you need them for larger trees, up to 12 feet. It should be noted, however, that the diameter of the coverage maxes out at three feet.