RV Podcast

RV Podcast #336: Cicadas, the Canadian border and Rootless Living


Listen Later

We have a lot for you in this report: We talk about the coming cicada invasion, the Canadian border, and Rootless Living.
After being closed for more than a year, disturbing new reports are surfacing that have many wondering when will the U.S. Canada border reopen for RVers. 

That's one of many topics we explore in Episode 336 of the RV Podcast.

We also have a fascinating report about a coming invasion of billions - yes, you read right, billions - of bugs that will soon be evident to RVers who travel through 15 Mideastern States. After 17 years of dormancy, Cicada Brood X is about to reemerge and fill the air with noisy buzzing as they perch in trees, on utility poles, shrubs, or any other structure they can find. 

And we meet Demian Ross, whose Rootless Living podcast and magazine chronicle life on the road for the millions of RV nomads who taken to the RV Lifestyle.

Plus, we answer your RV questions, hear another off-the-beaten-path report from our friends the Burketts and we look at the RV calendar of coming events.

You can listen to the entire RV Podcast in the player below or via your favorite podcast app. Scroll down for notes and links and more resources.


When will the Canadian border reopen?


That is the question as Canada's Prime Minister said late last week that he could see the border with the U.S. remaining closed until September or later if necessary.

His comments were in response to some U.S. politicians in states that border Canada pushing the Biden Administration to open the border as soon as Memorial Day.

Justin Trudeau said he would not open the border until the number of new daily COVID cases in the U.S. drops even more. The current number of new COVID cases in the U.S. is about 50,000, while in Canada, it is about 3,000. The U.S. population is about 328.2 million, Canada's is about 37.6 million.

The border with Canada has been closed to non-essential travel (like RVing and camping) for over a year. The current closure is set to expire on March 21, but everyone expects it to be extended longer.
The Invasion of the Cicadas
For 17 years, they have been underground in the nymph stage, munching unseen on tree roots. But sometime soon - when the soil warms to 64 degrees - billions will emerge at the exact same time across 15 U.S. states and cover trees, shrubs, utility poles, flowers, and any structure they can find, hatching into ugly red-eyed bugs that many mistake for grasshoppers or locusts.

But these periodical cicadas are not grasshoppers. And they are mostly harmless, except for tender shoots on shrubs and flowers. They don't bite. But they are extremely noisy, making their buzzing mating calls for a few weeks at most before they die off.

They are one of the most fascinating mysteries of nature. Watch this short YouTube video done by the BBC:



Expect the periodical cicadas to emerge from mid-May through June. The cicadas, about 2 1/2 inches long with a 3-inch wingspan, will emerge in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.

Unlike the common green cicadas you see every year, this 17-year cycle Brood X as it is called, has bright red eyes and black bodies. Birds, frogs, snakes, raccoons, opossums, and all sorts of other creatures will gorge on them.

It's the males who make all the noise, trying to attract females. After they mate and the female lays eggs, they die off. And when the eggs hatch the nymphs all burrow beneath the surface, to stay there for another 17 years.

So don't worry about the invasion. They make a lot of noise but they aren't drawn indoors.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

RV PodcastBy Mike Wendland

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

613 ratings


More shows like RV Podcast

View all
RV Navigator by Ken & Martha, The RV Navigators

RV Navigator

204 Listeners

The RV Atlas Podcast by RVFTA Podcast Network

The RV Atlas Podcast

579 Listeners

The Smart RVer Podcast by Eric Stark

The Smart RVer Podcast

71 Listeners

Traveling Robert by Living the RV Dream

Traveling Robert

214 Listeners

RV Miles Podcast by RV Miles Network

RV Miles Podcast

1,319 Listeners

RV Small Talk Podcast by RV Small Talk

RV Small Talk Podcast

98 Listeners

StressLess Camping RV podcast by Tony Barthel, Peggy Barthel

StressLess Camping RV podcast

195 Listeners

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast by Matt and Karen Smith

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

1,221 Listeners

RV America Y'all Podcast by Tom & Stacie, RV America Y'all

RV America Y'all Podcast

28 Listeners

RV Out West by Brooks Smothers

RV Out West

32 Listeners

RV Inspection And Care by Duane Lipham

RV Inspection And Care

13 Listeners

Exploring the National Parks by Dirt In My Shoes

Exploring the National Parks

401 Listeners

RV LIFE Podcast by Dan & Patti Hunt

RV LIFE Podcast

44 Listeners

The RV Destinations Podcast by Randy & Caly

The RV Destinations Podcast

16 Listeners

All Things RV Podcast | RV Education, RV Resources, RV Lifestyle, RV Adventure, RV Travel by Cathy Conrad | RV Advisors, LLC | Helping You Get on the Road with Confidence

All Things RV Podcast | RV Education, RV Resources, RV Lifestyle, RV Adventure, RV Travel

4 Listeners