Almost time for cicadas to return to area

It hadn’t kicked off yet by the weekend, but it was expected soon as it’s almost time for the cicadas to come out.

In a few days, thousands of buzzing creatures are expected to emerge from the ground, crawl toward the nearest tree and shed their skins before taking to the air.

They’ll leave behind the dead shell of their former bodies clinging to the trees.

This might sound like something out of a horror movie but it’s actually a natural phenomenon that experts say will likely take place in Rome before Memorial Day.

The red- eyed periodical cicadas should be emerging in North Georgia from their 17-year stint underground. Brood VI (they’re grouped by location) was last seen in 2000.

Keith Mickler, Floyd County Extension Service coordinator, said it’s interesting that the cicadas haven’t been reported in this area yet since they were expected to do so by now.