They’re back! Cicadas are returning to the Garden State this spring.

“Brood 14” is expected to emerge for the first time in 17 years, especially in Atlantic, Camden and Ocean counties.

"They have a very interesting lifecycle. Magicicadas spend 17 years as nymphs underground, sucking on plant juices from roots and then they emerge en masse, which is thought to deter predators,” says Dr. Catherine Duckett, associated dean at Monmouth University.

Duckett says that cicadas are harmless to humans and pets.