Spotted Lanternfly Awareness – Sustainability Tip
With the gradual transition to warmer weather in the area, we’re starting to see the growth of many new spring plants and other types of vegetation. Unfortunately, this warmer weather also means that many invasive pests are beginning to emerge from winter eggs as well.
One of these invasive pests, and the focus of this blog, is the Spotted Lanternfly (referred to as SLF). This insect has been in the United States since 2014 and is once again emerging from its winter eggs in the Pittsburgh region. SLF’s feed on over 70 plants including Maple trees, Birch trees, Willow trees, and grapevines. This feeding can cause damage and even death to young plants! Once fed, SLFs excrete honeydew, a sugary waste, that attracts wasps, bees and black fungi.
Damage and death to these plants have quite a negative effect on Pennsylvania’s economy. According to Penn State Extension, the Spotted Lanternfly has cost Pennsylvania about $50 million both in direct costs and loss of profit and continues to be a growing issue. These pests can also impact your vegetation!
Here’s how you can help:
- Physically remove or destroy Spotted Lanternflies and egg masses when you see them! Check weekly if possible.
- If your plants are prone to Spotted Lanternflies, consider setting up a trap to avoid these springtime pests. (See other natural methods of killing this pest below.)
- Report sightings to https://services.agriculture.pa.gov/SLFReport/.
- Inspect vehicles, trailers and any outdoor items before movement within or outside of a quarantine zone.
- Inform others to inspect, destroy and report Spotted Lanternflies!
Natural methods to safely kill Spotted Lanternflies:
- Vinegar – Spray directly on the bug but please note that vinegar can also damage the plant as well, so be careful where you spray it.
- Dish soap mixed with water – Spray directly on the bug; you can also spray this solution over areas where you think Lanternflies frequent.
- Dish soap trap – Use the same formulation as above, but here you’ll also add a small amount of apple cider vinegar into a dish or jar to catch bugs. Simply place it where you’d like and wait for the bugs to be lured into the trap.
- Sticky strips – Either store-bought or made at home, stick or wrap strips to your tree or other areas that the bugs frequent.
- Neem oil – Put the liquid into a spray bottle and spray directly on bugs.
Add some fun to it!
You may not know, but there’s an app to make squishing the Spotted Lanternfly fun! It’s called ‘Squishr’ available on the Mac app store. The developer notes that the app was created to:
- Make squishing the Spotted Lanternfly fun.
- Record the date, time and location of Spotted Lanternfly sightings and share with State Departments of Agriculture. This data will help authorities understand where Spotted Lanternflies are and how they are spreading over time.
Learn more about Spotted Lanternflies and how to protect your plants at https://lanternflies.org
