Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on number of feedback that the received from the public regarding cicadas in Singapore in 2021 and 2022 respectively and actions taken

May 9, 2022

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of feedback that the Ministry has received from the public regarding cicadas in Singapore in 2021 and 2022 respectively; and (b) how has the Ministry been dealing with these complaints.

Answer:

1          There were 26 cases of feedback received regarding cicadas in 2021 and five cases received in the first three months of 2022. The feedback largely pertained to noise from cicadas’ calls, as well as cicadas entering residents’ homes or common areas in housing estates.

2          Cicadas are part of Singapore’s native fauna, and they play ecologically important roles. The mating calls are a natural phenomenon. Agencies such as NParks and Town Councils generally avoid harming them, as cicadas are part of our local biodiversity and do not bite or sting. Hence, when we receive feedback, we try to seek residents’ understanding and advise them to accommodate the noise with simple measures like closing windows, rather than consider extermination.