Admit it. Just the thought of those creepy, alien-like invaders flying blindly into your forehead or up your shorts has kept you holed up and far away from any hiking plans you had for this summer.

Advice from the local parks' nature educators: Get over it and get out there. And leave your cicada swatter at home.

"I'm sure they'll keep some people away. Some people do have deep-seated fears, but I wish them luck getting over them because they're missing out," said Vivian Wagner, Cincinnati Park Board's Supervisor of Nature Education.

The biggest thing for hikers to remember is that, aside from the occasional human-cicada collision, the bugs won't hurt you. They don't sting or bite, so Wagner advises to simply throw them into the brush if they land on you.

Or you can be brave.

"Just go and pick one up. They're one of the gentlest insects you can find," said Jerry Lippert, Hub Naturalist at Winton Woods. "I think it just adds to the fun. It's a burst of life happening."

Lippert said the Hamilton County Park District has hosted well-attended cicada information sessions, and hopes that the bugs won't keep too many people away from the parks - especially since they might not even be bothersome on your trail of choice.

Just think of it as a little extra entertainment.

Colleen Kane