Spotted Lanternfly season is almost upon us in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland with eggs expected to begin hatching in May.
This pretty but dangerous pest has been deemed a "serious economic threat" by the US Department of Agriculture for almost a decade. If you are not aware of this potential danger, you should learn about methods of spotted lanternfly control and what to do if you see one.
By the end of this article, you should have learned what a spotted lanternfly is. You should also know what makes them dangerous and how to get rid of them so you can take action. So, what are you waiting for?
What Is the Spotted Lanternfly?
Stemming from the Chinese mainland, the spotted lanternfly is a planthopper, which is like a more common grasshopper. This insect is usually kept in check by parasitic wasps in China, but in the United States, it has no natural predator. That means the spread of the spotted lanternfly has continued virtually unchecked for nearly a decade.
Since September 2014, when it was first spotted in the USA, it has caused enough disruption to demand stringent measures. Some state departments have banned the movement of items that could contain eggs of these insects, while other states have put quarantines in place to prevent its continued spread.
Despite these measures, people have seen them in significant numbers in Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
What Makes the Spotted Lanternfly a Risk?
These insects are parasites. They use the nutrients within a plant to survive, ensuring that they can live long enough to start a new cycle. However, eating the plant’s nutrients will eventually cause it to begin to wither and die.
For industries that depend on trees, they can be a dreadful pest that causes considerable financial loss. These industries include:
- Forestry
- Landscaping
- Orchards
- Winemaking
There is also some evidence to suggest that the spotted lanternfly spreads diseases from one tree to another. This makes them even more dangerous if left alone to spread.
How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternflies
There are many pest control products that you can buy to stop these insects. Although they often move in vast numbers throughout the states of DE, MD, NJ, and PA. This means that most commercially-available solutions will not have a long-term impact. While DIY solutions are unlikely to make a significant impact on the Spotted Lanternfly population, we do have a checklist of precautions people who live in Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine counties can take.
When it comes to making a serious dent in the spotted lanternfly's spread, we recommend hiring a pest control professional. Starting in May, Viking offers monthly "knockdown" services which can play a significant role in slowing the appearance of spotted lanternflies on trees and manmade surfaces. Starting in late Summer, Viking recommends getting a basal tree treatment where allowed by law. A specialist sprays the treatment into the base of the trunk, which is then absorbed by the tree and devoured by hungry spotted lanternflies. Such a treatment is not harmful to the tree. This process, expertly applied, will significantly decrease the spotted lanternfly population.
Spotted Lanternfly Pest Control
You should now better understand what the spotted lanternfly is and how to deal with it. If you are
unsure of exactly what to do next, remember that we are here to help you with issues such as these.
Before they hatch, usually in May, you can find and scrape off their eggs to prevent the birth and spread of the spotted lanternflies. Viking Pest offers free spotted lanternfly egg removers to residents of NJ, PA, DE, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Don’t hesitate to call Viking Pest if you have seen a spotted lanternfly on your property. We will do everything we can to ensure your area remains safe from an outbreak of this dangerous creature. So, get a free estimate on our work now and let us help you.
