The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect first identified in the United States in 2014. The pretty, brightly-colored planthopper has contributed heavily to the death of grapevine, black walnut, hops, and ornamental nursery plants. If you spot any lanternfly or its egg mass on your trees, you need to call a Downingtown pest control service immediately.
The insect, native to Asia, feeds on plant sap, resulting in plant stress and weakening. Long-term weakening, localized branch damage, and other factors result in tree death. State officials classify the insect as a nuisance pest that requires local pest control interventions.
How You Can Help Stop Invasive Lanternflies
You can protect trees in your backyard as well as help the nation curb this pest menace by taking proactive measures, including:
- Scrape off Egg Masses: The spotted lanternflies lay their eggs on any hard surface from September to November. The adult population freezes to death during winter, but the eggs can survive through the cold.
Each egg mass can contain 30 to 50 eggs that hatch in spring. Scrapping the egg masses off tree barks can help eliminate as many lanternflies as possible. - Use Sticky Tape: Glue traps or sticky tapes can catch lanternflies. Identify popular target trees such as the "tree-of-Heaven" and hang tape strips on the infested branches or steps. However, you need to take caution to avoid trapping other wildlife or birds.
- Insecticides: You can spray insecticidal soaps directly on mature lanternflies to kill them. Consult a pest control service in Downingtown to learn about the most effective insecticide brands that work on invasive insects.
You may need to find a way to dispose of the dead insects. Commercial leaf vacuums can help you clean up, with any survivors dropped in an insecticidal soap to kill them. - Removing Tree of Heaven: Ailanthus altissima, more commonly identified as 'tree-of-heaven,' seems to be the lantern fly's favorite tree species. Cutting back on the number of the A.altissima plants on your landscaping can provide much-needed control over the current infestation.
- Report any sightings: You can also stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly by reporting any sightings to your state's Department of Agriculture or local county extension office. There may be a quick follow-up before kick-starting a wide-scale investigation.
Though these proactive measures will go a long way to reduce the lanternfly problem on your property, you may struggle to realize you have a problem in the first place. If you're wondering whether you have lantern flies around your home, reach out to the experts at Budget Exterminating, Inc. for accurate identification and removal.
How To Remove Lanternfly Egg Masses
One of the most effective pest control measures for lanternflies is destroying egg masses. You only need a plastic bag filled with rubbing alcohol and a metal or plastic scraper.
The egg masses appear like light gray splotches of mud on tree barks. Applying enough pressure pops the eggs, killing the nymphs nesting inside.
Use the metal or plastic scraper to pop the eggs, squeezing the juices out. Scrape them into the plastic bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
Eggs masses that fall on the ground may still hatch. You may need to be careful as you scrape off the tree bark. If you're uncomfortable with the process or it seems too arduous, call in our team at Budget Exterminating, Inc. for safe, effective removal.
Are Lanternflies Toxic To Pets?
No. Researchers have not found any evidence that shows lanternflies causing toxic reactions in pets. A viral social media post recently claimed that dogs who stomp on lanternflies might develop paw blisters, causing massive panic among pet parents.
The insect does not bite or attack people and pets. However, veterinarians report upset stomachs, drooling, and loss of appetite in dogs that ingest the insect.
Total Fly Control Programs For Downingtown Homeowners
The population of the invasive lanternflies continues to grow exponentially. Residential pest control companies can help manage the infestation on your property.
Our team at Budget Exterminating, Inc can identify egg masses on your trees and provide a plan to destroy them. Our insecticide recommendations can help eliminate mature lanternflies, controlling the adult population. Contact us today to learn more about our residential pest control services in Downingtown.