Tampines Changkat pilot to tackle cicada emergence reduces noise, disturbances for residents

Residents in Singapore's Tampines Changkat have found relief from the seasonal nuisance of cicadas, thanks to a pilot initiative that has concluded with promising results. The five-month project, launched in March, aimed to mitigate the noise and disturbances caused by the insects' emergence. Organizers reported significant reductions in disruption for the local community.

“

Site assessments conducted since February yielded preliminary observations, including possible associations with specific tree species and the presence of localised emergence hotspots.

The initiative employed a multi-pronged approach to manage the cicada population. This included direct population control measures such as deploying light traps across 18 blocks, which captured approximately 22,000 cicadas. Additionally, non-intrusive methods were used, with over 500 trees wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wraps, and tarpaulin or coconut husk mats laid at their bases. These physical barriers were designed to disrupt the nymphs' moulting process into adults.

“

Variations in the cicada numbers across the surveyed areas suggest that factors such as tree age and composition, landscape and habitat characteristics, and local environmental conditions may influence population density.

Cicadas are known for their extremely loud sounds, with some species reaching up to 120 decibels, which can be painful to the human ear. The pilot project not only addressed the immediate disturbance but also served as an opportunity to deepen the understanding of cicadas within Singapore's urban context. Preliminary observations from site assessments since February have suggested possible associations with specific tree species and the identification of localized emergence hotspots.

“

Because there were no established good practices, we had to be innovative to protect our Changkat residents while being environmentally sensitive in our measures.

Organizers noted that there are generally no established measures for managing cicadas in tropical urban environments, making the challenge of controlling their populations and mitigating impacts on residents particularly difficult. The insights gained from this pilot are expected to support the development of more targeted intervention measures for future emergence seasons. Tampines Changkat MP Desmond Choo highlighted the need for innovation in protecting residents while remaining environmentally sensitive, stating that measures are being refined based on the pilot's learning points.

“

We are refining our measures with learning points from the pilot, while concurrently exploring other new measures to more effectively manage the cicada populations in Tampines Changkat.