Spotted Lanternfly Awareness – Sustainability Tip
Ammie Faunce • March 14, 2023
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
On Friday, June 13, Municipal Contractor Youngblood Paving will be MILLING Cordero Rd. (Santa Fe Dr. - END) and Santa Fe Dr. (Cordero Rd. - Casswell Dr.) and doing INLET work on Arkwood Dr. (Fruitwood Dr. - END) . Work will run from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. with flaggers on site to assist with traffic. We’ll continue to provide updates next week.
Market Notes: Sunshine, Salads, and Something Special
Mark Your Calendars!
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Bethel Park Police Department joins with South Park and Allegheny County to host “Bike Rodeo” this Saturday! Bethel Park Police Department, along with South Park and Allegheny County Police Departments, are teaming up to host a FREE First Responders Bike Rodeo this Saturday, June 7 , from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the South Park Dek Hockey Rink (Maple Springs & Corrigan Drive). This family-friendly event is all about bike safety and fun! Kids are encouraged to bring their bicycles for safety checks and test their skills on a safety obstacle course . PLUS: ✅ FREE bike helmets (courtesy of Children's Hospital) while supplies last ✅ FREE bikes (new and gently used) for children in need ✅ Emergency vehicle displays, free refreshments, and music! “We’re looking forward to the rodeo,” said BPPD Community Resource Officer Amber DiFranco. “This is a great opportunity to work with our neighbors on a wonderful community program! I’d like to also thank Kelly Gilliam of Life Builders , whose support helped make this event possible.” 💙 Want to donate a new or gently used bicycle ? There's still time! Call 412-540-3535 or bring your donation to the event. For more on Bethel Park Police Department , visit www.bethelparkpa.gov. Learn about Life Builders , a nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals, families and the community to create a sustainable transformation, at mylifebuilders.org. #BikeRodeo #BPPD #BethelPark #FirstResponders #BikeSafety #LifeBuilders #PoliceOutreach
Rain Soaked the Stalls, but Not our Spirits
Serve Your Community!
Bethel Park will be holding its annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 26 to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The program will feature an 8:50 a.m. Morning Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the Municipal Building (5100 W. Library Ave.) followed by a parade stepping off at 10 a.m. from the site and ending at Bethel Presbyterian Cemetery for a service there. Refreshments will also be available for guests prior to the Morning Ceremony in Council Chambers (5100 W. Library Ave.) at 8:15 a.m. “This program has become an esteemed tradition for our community,” said Bethel Park Council President John Oakes. “I’d like to thank everyone who has planned this very special event and to thank Dick Jewell who will be this year’s speaker.” Jewell who said he’s “honored to have this opportunity,” is a longtime Bethel Park resident who received the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal for doing an outstanding job in the legal work he conducted for the various commanders at the Third Cav. Since moving to Bethel Park in 1956 as a child, he has attended every Memorial Day Parade except for two when he was serving in the Army. Jewell’s speech will focus on the true meaning of Memorial Day and include many military references including General MacArthur’s “Duty, Honor and Country” speech that he made at West Point in 1962. “This program is quite unique in that it involves so many groups coming together to remember those who’ve paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Bethel Park Manager Kristen Denne. The parade route will begin at the Municipal Building, head left onto Highland Ave., left on Bethel Church Rd., and end at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Any changes to the Memorial Day program due to inclement weather will be announced on Memorial Day by 7 a.m. on all Bethel Park social media outlets and website ( www.bethelparkpa.gov ) . Splash Park to Open for the Season! Bethel Park’s 1.05-acre Splash Park will open for the season on Saturday, May 24 at 11 a.m. for seasonal members and 12 p.m. for all other guests. The Splash Park is located on Park Avenue next to the Bethel Park Community Center (5151 Park Ave.). The $3.5 million park opened in May 2024 and features two areas: one for younger children with a river component to float toys as well as a larger area for all ages with various spray toys and other features. It’s also ADA accessible, is fully fenced, has a pavilion available to rent on site, has air-conditioned restrooms, and is fully staffed with Recreation seasonal employees. Regular Splash Park hours are 12 – 7 p.m. Sunday – Saturday (7 days a week) throughout the season (weather permitting), with an earlier 11 a.m. opening for Seasonal Members. Seasonal Memberships are $50 per household for Bethel Park Residents only; residents can also purchase 10-day Punch Passes for $27 a pass or Single Day passes for $3/per person. Single Day passes are available to non-residents for $5/per person. Day passes can be purchased at the Splash Park (credit/debit only) . Memberships and/or passes must be purchased prior to visiting the Splash Park. Questions about memberships, passes or pavilion rental? Call the Bethel Park Community Center at 412-851-2910 or visit www.bethelparkpa.gov . With expected cooler temperatures this weekend, hours may vary. Any changes will be announced on Recreation’s social media outlets.
Recognizing our Public Works Team for National Public Works Week!
The Bees Were Buzzing—and So Were We