Brood X Cicadas

[Lisamairey]

Is anyone saving the million plus per acre cicada explosion for their girls? Can you freeze this protein source as they emerge for mid-winter chicken snacks? OR do you freeze to kill, then dry?

 

[FiFi-FaFa-FooFoo]

We are just now finding them emerging in Maryland. I am awaiting the trillions and plan to put them into buckets and freeze them. My girls have becomes bug snobs and only hunt for cicadas now!

 

[BackyardBuffys]

I'm in Maryland too, and there are tons everywhere now.

Any tips on freezing them? I'm not sure if they should be dry first or if it doesn't matter.

 

[ladybrasa]

Tracking

I’ve yet to see any in my area of Virginia.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You may find this helpful -
https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/...ys the best way,adult females are your target.

Drying before freezing helps prevent freezer burn. Honestly, I doubt your bids care - but it will also help keep them from freezing together, making them easier to portion later.

I'm too far south to benefit, and too restricted on freezer space - but if I could, I'd treat them just like herbs being frozen for storage. Set the largest sheet pans you can in the freezer, start getting them nice and cold. Lay the cicada out in single layers to freeze, then transfer into a ziploc bag for long term storage, repeat.

Assumedly, putting the live cicada in 2 gallon ziploc bags, and putting those in the fridge first will ensure they are good and cold (and not moving), so they freeze faster on the trays.