Silence of the grasshoppers: 22,000 cicadas caught in Tampines Changkat since March as light traps prove effective

SINGAPORE, July 6 — More than 22,000 cicadas have been captured in Tampines Changkat since March through a large‑scale trial using light traps, part of a coordinated effort to reduce noise and nuisance from the insects’ seasonal emergence.

The Straits Times reported that the devices were deployed across 18 Housing Board blocks to attract newly moulted cicadas, drawing them away from homes and into traps. The initiative, led jointly by the People’s Association, Tampines Town Council and the National Parks Board, concluded with “encouraging results”, with residents noting quieter surroundings and fewer insects entering flats.

The task force studying the orange‑winged cicada — a species whose annual swarms have troubled residents since 2018 — also trialled other measures. These included wrapping more than 500 trees with aluminium foil or plastic to prevent nymphs from climbing up to moult, and laying tarpaulin or mats at tree bases to reduce the number of insects emerging from the ground. Preliminary observations suggest cicada hotspots may be linked to specific tree species, tree age, landscape features and micro‑habitat conditions.

Authorities said continued monitoring will help refine future interventions, including exploring targeted pruning during egg‑laying periods and assessing new pesticides that could be used selectively in severely affected areas. They stressed that any pesticide use would require careful evaluation to avoid harming other insects or residents who come into contact with treated trees.

Findings from the Tampines Changkat pilot will be shared with other towns facing similar cicada issues. Tampines Changkat MP Desmond Choo, who heads the task force, said the results mark a promising step forward, but added that preparations for future cicada seasons must continue.

A long‑time resident told ST that the situation has improved markedly in recent months, though he remains concerned about potential ecological effects if pesticides are introduced.