What To Do When You Find a Spotted Lanternfly
The invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) threatens to damage fruit trees, grape crops, ornamental trees, and other plants in 17 states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. Most of these states have established quarantine zones to prevent further expansion of this pest. Residents living outside quarantine areas should always report sightings of spotted lanternflies to their state's agriculture department as soon as possible.
Identifying Spotted Lanternfly Eggs, Larva, and Adults
Spotted lanternflies lay clusters of brownish-gray, one-inch-long eggs on hard surfaces such as tree trunks, the underside of large branches, rocks, and outdoor sheds. Larvae emerging from eggs hatch in May or early June have black bodies with white spots covering them. Adult spotted lantern flies are between one and two inches long. Identifying features include yellow bodies with back stripes, black-spotted red hindwings, and gray forewings.
Nymphs and adults feed in large groups on plant sap using mouthparts that pierce plant stems and suck sap. Although SLFs feed on more than 70 host plant species, they tend to congregate on fruit trees, grape bushes, and ornamental trees like dogwoods and lilacs.
How to Kill a Spotted Lanternfly
Before killing spotted lanternflies, take photos that will help experts confirm the presence of SLFs. spotted lanternflies. If possible, capture a few of them and put them in a sealed container (jar, baggie) for further examination by your state agriculture department. SLFs do not bite or sting.
If you suspect you've found an SLF egg mass, scrape the mass into a plastic bag and kill the eggs by pouring hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol on them. If you see adult spotted lanternflies, kill them immediately. Step on them, squash them with a fly swatter, or use whatever is handy to kill as many as possible.
Certain traps may reduce tree infestations, but they won't eliminate SLFs on your property. Some people have tried placing sticky bands around fruit and decorative trees to catch them. However, you must combine sticky bands with a wildlife barrier to prevent birds and valuable pollinators from getting stuck to the bands.
To help ensure SLFs do the least amount of damage possible to your garden, trees, and landscaping, call Viking Pest Control for prompt attention to a spotted lanternfly infestation. Just one mass of eggs hatching on your property can lead to the irreversible devastation of trees and plants.
Contact Viking Pest Control for Spotted Lanternfly Extermination in NJ, PA, DE and the Eastern Shore of MD
Our licensed professionals have in-depth knowledge of the spotted lanternfly's life cycle and feeding behavior. We will quickly determine if your property is infested with SLFs and use targeted treatments and industry-specific equipment to eliminate these invasive pests. Don't wait until your property's foliage is wilting and dying. Call us today to schedule an appointment for Viking Pest Control spotted lanternfly service.
