Residents in North Carolina mistake cicadas for car alarms, call police

Durham County Sheriff's Office warns residents of cicadas' siren-like sounds. Record number emerging this year. Noise expected until June.

The gentle hum of cicadas can often be mistaken for sirens or car alarms, as the Durham County Sheriff's Office recently reminded citizens in a Facebook post. The post reassured residents that the loud humming noise they may be hearing is simply the beautiful song of the cicadas.

Local law enforcement has been inundated with calls in May from concerned individuals who mistake the cicadas' song for alarms. WRAL News has also received numerous emails from surprised viewers who are puzzled by the noise in their neighborhoods.

This year, the cicada population has reached record numbers, with two different broods emerging simultaneously. One brood emerges every 13 years, while the other emerges every 17 years. CNN reports that this convergence of cicadas is a rare event that won't occur again until 2245.

Once the cicadas emerge from underground, they shed their hard outer skeletons, spread their wings, and gather in trees to attract mates. Male cicadas create a loud chorus of buzzing and singing to court females.

The cacophony of cicadas is expected to last for four to six weeks, with their song continuing into June. North Carolina State University entomologist Clyde Sorensen predicts that the noise will be deafening for about a month.

Experts estimate that there could be up to 1 million cicadas per acre in certain parts of the Triangle this year. Residents have reported sweeping hundreds of cicadas off their back steps and patios, with one viewer from Henderson noting that the insects were particularly loud that day.

Another viewer shared that she had thousands of cicadas in her yard, while video footage captured chirping cicadas in a Wake County neighborhood. Despite the overwhelming presence of cicadas, the sheriff's office advises residents to continue calling for help if they hear what they believe to be sirens.

"We are always here to respond to your concerns," the Durham County Sheriff's Office reassured. "If you see or hear something suspicious, don't hesitate to call us. The cicadas don't seem to mind." So, the next time you hear a loud humming noise, remember it may just be the enchanting song of the cicadas.