2021: The year of the cicadas. At least that's what we'll be dubbing this year.
The Brood X cicadas are expected to emerge across Ohio and several other U.S. states any day now. They'll be swarming your lawn mowers, making a mess of your yards, and you won't be able to talk to your neighbor over the loud mating calls.
But let's not worry about that right now. Instead, let's commemorate this year with some cicada swag. There are earrings, T-shirts, bandanas, mugs ... you name it.
Here's where you can purchase some cicada gear to rock this summer as you swat them out of your way:
T-shirts
Cincy Shirts has a variety of options of cicada T-shirts, from Galaga-style retro video game to one that says: "Here for a good time, not a long time."
There's also a vintage WEBN 1987 shirt, with an "Eat'M 'N Smile" slogan.
Charley Harper Art Studio also has a T-shirt option with "They're Back!" in the signature artists' style.
You can find a selection of shirts in green, blue, gray and white here.
Masks and bandanas
Stitches & Sass pet and baby gifts teamed up with Cincinnati artist Linnea Campbell to create a special cicada print.
You can buy it either as a bandana or a mask.
Jewelry
Robinette Designs just released "just like the real thing" cicada earrings, saying they also "glisten in the sun."
"We're not going to be able to avoid these creatures, so we may as well have some fun with them," artist Kathy Roll Unkrich said in a news release.
The hand-painted cicada earrings cost $20 and are also available with an antique silver finish for $8.
A portion of sales during the month of May will be donated to the World of the Insect exhibit at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Cicadamania.com has all your cicada needs
Mugs, hats, T-shirts, even pillow cases. Cicadamania.com is a go-to site for all things cicada as well as gear you can buy.
The site also includes links to books, an FAQ section and news about the Brood X.
Finger puppets, more jewelry, T-shirts and .... skeletons? Etsy has it all
Can't make this up: There are cicada skeletons for sale in test tubes at the online marketplace, Etsy. Or you can go to this search and find a lot more to show off your support of the 17-year insect.
Did we miss anything? Send your cicada swag to [email protected].