Virginia’s largest brood of 17-year cicadas will emerge in May—in the millions. The good news is they’re mostly harmless, if you can stand the noise and the spook factor.

There are actually 12 broods—or populations—of 17-year cicadas, which are insects that crawl up from underground once a generation to find mates. The cicadas are about 1-1/2 inches long, have brown bodies that change to black after they shed, and have bulbous red eyes and wings striped with orange.

Different broods emerge in different areas at different times. This is the year for Brood II, or 2, which will emerge primarily in Central Virginia, stretching from north-central North Carolina all the way to Connecticut. Brood II is Virginia’s largest, and hasn’t been seen since 1996.

Though the insects can damage young trees, experts say they are mostly harmless. But they do make quite a racket. Males are the noisiest, singing to attract mates. Females flick their wings, which makes a clicking sound. If you can stand the noise for about 4 to 6 weeks, you won’t have to deal with it again for another 17 years.